Construction sites open their doors to the public
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Contractors big and small welcomed the public to 75 sites across the UK today as part of the Open Doors Weekend, which continues tomorrow.
The programme, backed by Construction News and organised by the UK Contractors Group, the Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council, CITB-Construction Skills, the Chartered Institute of Building and the Considerate Constructors Scheme, is intended to raise the industry’s public profile and encourage people to begin careers in construction.
One of those sites is Kier’s Winsford E-ACT Academy school site in Cheshire. Project manager Tony Harrison said: “It’s fantastic to be able to offer people the chance to see what we do and see the projects as they’re being built. Working on a construction site can be challenging but it’s extremely exciting and rewarding as well. I hope that members of the public get a sense of that and a better understanding of what’s involved by coming onto our sites.”
Simon Parsons, contracts manager at Kier’s Torre Abbey site in Torquay, said: “We are really looking forward to opening up the Torre Abbey site to the public and showing the public the kind of challenges working on a Grade I listed building presents.
“Our team has a great deal of experience in using the time-honoured materials and skills needed to meet English Heritage requirements and visitors will also be able to watch a demonstration by our carpenters, who are keen to show off some of the traditional craft methods they are using on this ancient monument.”
Skanska’s sites, which will open up during the event include its six storey dental hospital and an eight storey cardiac care and cancer unit for Barts NHS Trust, the new Brent Civic Centre and the Crossrail station at Paddington. However the Brent and Paddington projects are now fully booked with visitors.
Seddon opened up its development of 59 homes at Plymouth Avenue, Longsight, Manchester on Friday. Children from local Plymouth Grove primary school visited the site and met the company’s Seddy Teddy character.
Seddon Construction training and development manager Tony Costello said: “Attracting talented people into the industry is essential for the future of construction. As a company, we are committed to creating opportunities for people in the areas where we work to find out about the construction business and what it can offer them.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to meet and talk to people involved in the industry, find out what we do and about the diverse opportunities available to people at all stages of their careers, whether you are at school or college, or perhaps someone looking to retrain.”
Pupils from Pirbright Primary School, parish councillors and more than 120 visitors from the local community visited the new advanced biocontainment laboratories Shepherd Construction is building for the Pirbright Institute for the research of viral diseases in livestock.
Visit www.opendoorsweekend.co.uk to find sites, check opening times and book visits.