Work Discovery Sunderland: Chance for pupils to get experience of 'exciting' construction and digital industries

Work Discovery Week Event at the Stadium of Light Sunderland

A Construction Sector Day and a Digital Sector Day will be held on March 4 and 6 respectively, aiming to highlight the opportunities in the industries to secondary school pupils.

It’s part of the Work Discovery Sunderland programme, now in its seventh year, which aims to help young people prepare for work through organised events, and giving them the tools they need for employment.

John Green, co-chair of Work Discovery Sunderland and retail liaison manager at The Bridges, said: "We are delighted to have a range of organisations taking part to show the students what it is they do in their day-to-day work and we hope it will answer some of the questions these young people might have about the next steps they need to take to advance towards their chosen careers.

"These sector days are invaluable to young people who want to really understand what working in a particular industry is like and can hear it from those who are doing it on a daily basis."

Gentoo, Sunderland College and Engie are the organisations who are taking part in the construction day, they will showcase a range of career opportunities available in the sector.

Those visiting Gentoo's Leechmere depot will see how the maintenance department looks after the organisation's 29,000 properties, alongside taking part in several activities.

Students visiting Sunderland College will have a go at carpentry, joinery and painting and decorating, afterwards taking part in workshops run by the college and Engie's construction workers.

Around 100 students will be heading to Sunderland Software City at Tavistock Place, on March 6, to work with a number of tech companies who will highlight the range of jobs available.

Along with their valuable advice, students will also be given the opportunity to take part in useful practical activities.

A special event will be held at Sunderland College on June 22, which will see more than 1,000 young people taking part in a range of activities.

Businesses wanting to offer practical demonstrations for the June event should contact Nicola Appleby at [email protected]