Historically the domain of men, a new grass-roots programme aims to introduce girls to the construction industry and promote the career opportunities that the vocation offers.<br><br>As many as 50 year eight girls from Islington Green and Highbury Fields secondary schools participated in two tiling activity days in October where they leant and then used their skills to produce a group mosaic.<br><br>"It was fun. I liked choosing & designing my tile pattern on the computer" said Nicky Famodun, 12. <br><br>" It was good. I liked doing the tiling & I think I could now tile my bathroom" says Ellis Evans, 12.<br><br>The tiling days aim to build on the momentum of several large regeneration and construction projects in the borough.<br><br>It is one of the practical approaches to regeneration that is being adopted by Islington Council to address the skills shortage in the borough while enhancing the employability of school leavers.<br><br>National Construction Week, commencing on 6 October, provided the ideal backdrop for the tiling days, which were held at the schools on Monday 10 and Thursday 13 October.<br><br>Focusing on teamwork, the students leant about aspects of tiling in construction work including design, quantifying and budgeting. CITB Construction Skills delivered the exercise.<br><br>In producing a group mosaic piece, the participants used their skills creatively to gain a real sense of how tiling projects are managed in a professional environment. The students also had the opportunity to produce individual pieces that were theirs to keep.<br><br>Martin Ransley, careers and work related learning coordinator at Highbury Fields School, said: “I am always looking for ‘hands on opportunities’ for our students to experience the world of work.” <br><br>“The tiling activity provided by CITB construction skills is an ideal, unusual and stimulating event, which will enable them to gain a valuable insight into the construction industry and offer them the chance to gain invaluable skills for the future.”<br><br>The event is one of several planned for National Construction Week that involves the council working with external organisations to help residents access training and make informed choices about career paths.<br><br>Executive member for communities, councillor Laura Willoughby, said: “These events are an ideal way for young people to get exposure to the construction industry while enhancing their employability skills, self-esteem and confidence, regardless of ability level.<br><br>“The events for teachers will give them a chance to discover how local resources can contribute to their teaching around topics such as regeneration as well as getting a better understanding of the career opportunities there are on offer in the construction industry.”<br><br>One of the events open to teachers from Camden and Islington is a site visit to the Arsenal Emirates Stadium on 18 October and a chance to find out more about its construction and how it will contribute to the regeneration of the area.<br><br>Islington is home to some of the country’s largest building and regeneration projects, with the new Arsenal development and the King’s Cross development headlining the healthy construction industry in the area.<br><br>The council’s education business partnership continues to raise the profile of construction related learning in schools, including its development in the curriculum, by providing students with the opportunity to experience the industry at a practical level. This complements the work being done by the council for young people aged 16 and over to set up pathways into training and careers in construction. <br><br>Editor’s Notes:<br><br>Other events organised by Islington Council and partners for National Construction Week 2005 (which starts on 6 October) include:<br><br>Monday 10 and Thursday 13 October Enterprise Tiling activity day delivered by CITB at Islington Green and Highbury Fields secondary schools for Year 8 pupils. <br><br>Wednesday 12 October Year 10 vocational pupils interested in the Trades will be visiting King’s Cross Working to see what training opportunities are offered locally.<br><br>Thursday 13 October Secondary school teachers from Camden and Islington have been invited to visit King’s Cross Working so that they can promote training in the trades to their pupils. <br><br>Tuesday 18 October Teachers from Camden and Islington have been invited to visit the Arsenal Emirates Stadium to find out more about its construction and how it will contribute to the regeneration of the area.<br><br>Wednesday 19 October A group of 20 young people from schools across the borough has been invited to Keir’s training centre in Brewery Road to learn more about Health and Safety in construction with the theme for European Health and Safety Week being noise.<br><br>Thursday 20 October In collaboration with Camden education business partnership teachers have been invited to visit the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Visitors Centre to raise their awareness
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009