Construction Challenge 2019: The next generation of #talent

West London College welcomed year 8 students from three local schools to the Construction Challenge 2019. Now in its third year, the Challenge welcomes young people from the local community to have a go at a range of building and construction trades to motivate them to start thinking about careers paths and opportunities available in the Construction industry.

This year was the inaugural hosting at the new West London Construction Academy (WLCA), located on Berkeley’s 88-acre Southall Waterside regeneration site. Recently named one of the first Mayor’s Construction Academy hubs, a recognition of the high-quality construction skills training available at the facility. The Academy delivers apprenticeships on a live construction site to give students a real taste of the industry.

Over 75 pupils got to grips with a host of new skills, competing for a place in the final. Students from Featherstone High School, Dormers Wells High School and Villiers High School, were tasked to complete drainage, plumbing and brickwork activities. The challenges encouraged students to work together and think outside the box to find solutions.

The winning team from each school has been invited to return to WLCA later this summer to battle it out in a final challenge to see who will take home the Construction Challenge Trophy 2019.

David Warnes, Managing Director at West London College, said: “West London College has always had a great relationship with these schools, it was wonderful to be able to welcome them to see the new facilities at West London Construction Academy and show them the Southall Waterside Development.

“It’s these types of community activities that we take part in that can really have an impact and inspire the next generation of builders, architects, quantity surveyors, site managers, and more. We saw some excellent work over the two days and are looking forward to welcoming the winning teams back again for the final!”

Delivered in partnership with Berkeley Group, WLCA aims to tackle the UK construction skills crisis head-on. West London College offers a range of Construction courses with dedicated employer focused resources and apprenticeship opportunities at our specialist sites, WLCA and Park Royal College.