Crossrail recently took part in SkillCity, the UK’s largest Interactive careers event, in order to promote engineering as an exciting career choice for young people.
The event took place at the Docklands Excel centre between 6 and 9 July and attracted over 120,000 young people aged 12-30.
In recent years fewer students have been entering the engineering and construction professions.
Bernard Gambrill, Head of Crossrail Public Affairs, says: ‘This is a worrying trend as when construction begins in 2007 Crossrail will be the largest engineering project in Europe and will require many engineers throughout the project.
'The industry needs to work together to promote construction as an interesting and varied career path.’
Visitors to the Crossrail stand (DC19), in the Design and Construction zone, had the opportunity to complete the Crossrail Challenge - three practical and fun games demonstrating typical engineering principles, as well as the chance to win a digital camera.
Experts were also on hand from ConstructionSkills – the Sector Skills Council for the construction industry, to advise on the wide ranging career options available.
For further information contact the Crossrail 24 hour seven day a week helpdesk on 0845 602 3813 or e-mail helpdesk@crossrail.co.uk
Ends
Issued 29 July 2005
About SkillCity London 2005
SkillCity London 2005 will be the UK’s largest-ever skills festival for young people interested in skills-based careers.
The four-day event is being held at ExCel, East London from July 6-9th 2005. It is expected to attract over 120,000 young people aged 12-30 to an area of 30,000 square metres. Visitors will take part in “hands on” activities within a cityscape of nine districts dedicated to the skills that the UK economy needs in the coming decades. Admission is free and invitations are going to all 6,200 secondary schools and colleges across the UK.
SkillCity is designed to raise the status of vocational learning and careers across the UK, by showcasing a vast and diverse variety of skills. Young people will have the opportunity to try out work-related skills, speak to experts, celebrities and VIPs about their career choices and get advice and information.
This is the third SkillCity event. The first was held in 2000 at the NEC in Birmingham, with 30,000 people attending and the second in 2002 in Manchester, when 90,000 people attended. SkillCity 2002 had a measurable positive effect on the attitudes towards skills-based careers and follow on actions after the event for 40,000 (45%) of
these visitors.
About ConstructionSkills
ConstructionSkills is a partnership between CITB-ConstructionSkills, CIC and CITB (NI)
It is one of the Sector Skills Councils tasked by the Government to implement UK-wide Sector Skills Agreements between the bodies responsible for delivering training in the UK and those that demand it.
