Developing industry leaders of the future

Hanson welcome Cumbrian students to Carlisle concrete plant in drive to attract next generation of construction specialists

STUDENTS and staff from Lakes College in Workington, Cumbria, have visited Hanson’s Carlisle concrete plant to learn about concrete production and career opportunities in the construction materials sector.

The construction and built environment students toured the site, seeing each stage of the production process, learning about the importance of health and safety, and hearing about concrete applications.

Hanson also highlighted their apprenticeship and graduate programmes to the students, including the Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) higher apprenticeship scheme which allows post ‘A’ level students to combine hands-on work experience with a distance learning foundation degree in Minerals Extractive Technology.

The company also has a two-year graduate programme designed to develop future leaders by offering experience in a range of disciplines from production to sales.

Project manager Jobert Fermilan said: ‘As a regional Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) ambassador, it was great to meet the construction specialists of the future and to pass on what a rewarding sector it can be to work in. There are lots of routes into the industry, which is expected to need 200,000 new recruits by 2020.’

Rachel Melton, lead work-placement co-ordinator at Lakes College, added: ‘Our students really got a lot out of the visit, especially seeing the real-life application of skills they are developing at college. We look forward to working with Hanson in the future.’