LOCAL construction employers are supporting the Haven Gateway Partnership in an initiative aimed at enthusing young people about construction careers.Twenty local “20-somethings”, who currently work in the construction industry, have been put forward by their employers to be used as case studies in brochures, leaflets and a website.

LOCAL construction employers are supporting the Haven Gateway Partnership in an initiative aimed at enthusing young people about construction careers.

Twenty local “20-somethings”, who currently work in the construction industry, have been put forward by their employers to be used as case studies in brochures, leaflets and a website.

The materials are aimed at students, careers advisers, schools and colleges in the Haven Gateway sub-region and outline roles in construction as diverse as electrician and quantity surveyor, structural engineer and heritage joiner.

The initiative to reach young people directly coincides with the significant regeneration of the sub-region, including Ipswich and Felixstowe where redevelopment sites such as Felixstowe Dock, University Campus Suffolk and Suffolk New College, place skills demands on the local construction industry.

As well as encouraging new entrants to the construction industry, the project aims to “upskill” those already in the industry and to assist local businesses in getting into the best shape to win bigger contracts and get their slice of local development contracts.

Paul Howlett, Haven Gateway Partnership's construction initiatives development manager, said: “I was keen to ensure that young people who work for local construction companies were used in the initiative. I wanted to demonstrate the wide range of careers in construction and that whether young people are good with their hands or not, there are lots of opportunities in construction.

“I'm also working with careers advisors and teachers to expand their knowledge of the industry and opening lines of communication between construction businesses and those involved in skills and education.”

Paula Laughlin, 27, who is a land surveyor for J Breheny Contractors based in Needham Market and attended Claydon High School, features as one of the case studies.

She said: “I am happy to be part of the initiative as I feel that it will encourage people to consider working in construction, and will enlighten them as to the opportunities available within the industry.”

Also featured is Justin Mayhew, a structural engineer for MLM Consulting Engineers, based in Ipswich, who went to Orwell High school in Felixstowe and gained a first class honours degree in civil engineering from Aston University in Birmingham.

“I chose this career path as I was good at maths at school and wanted a job that tested my brain, but didn't mean I sat behind a desk all day,” he said. “This initiative offers an insight into a variety of roles within this industry and will hopefully encourage young people into a career in construction.”

For more information about the initiative, and other Haven Gateway projects, visit www.haven-gateway.org .