The Construction Youth Trust (CYT) is set to launch the 'Budding Brunels' pilot scheme and is looking for support from charitable trusts and industry bodies.

The Budding Brunels project is an opportunity to excite and inform pupils in Year 12 (aged 16-17) about the building and engineering professions.

Michael Brown Deputy Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) said: "If you ask a school pupil to name a famous builder or engineer most of them would say Brunel, and yet he was born over 200 years ago. We clearly need to do more as an industry to give younger people greater understanding of the exciting opportunities in building and engineering."

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The CYT project involves weekly sessions of 1 – 2 hours held during the school term but outside school hours, although some topics will be connected within General Studies.

"It's fantastic to see so many of London’s schoolchildren, girls and boys, taking this opportunity to discover how rewarding a career in civil engineering and construction can be," says Jacki Bell Director Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) London.

Participating students will take part in a number of activities such as trips to construction and engineering sites. There will be visits to working museums, heritage sites and university materials testing laboratories. As well as presentations on exciting projects from across the globe and classroom activities exploring building and engineering principles.

The Trust seeks support for this project from charitable trusts and industry bodies. In addition, companies will be encouraged to get involved. This may included a financial contribution towards the costs of the project, involvement with schools in their region, taking part in presentations and activities and sending representatives to accompany students on visits.

For further information please contact Mark Bennett, Construction Youth Trust on tel: 020 7227 4566 or at postal address 55 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3QL.

(JM)