Member Article

Civil Engineering Press: Civil Engineers drive educational agenda

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North East has been working with infrastructure specialists to help deliver special educational visits to schools in the region.

With the help of Colas and A-one+, ICE North East took its 13 metre scaled model cable-stayed bridge to Highfield Middle School in Prudhoe, where students worked with representatives from the Institution to assemble the structure.

The visit is the latest in a series of visits across the region, staffed by volunteers from the firms and other civil engineers across the North East. The companies, both experts in transport infrastructure, have also been helping to drive the bridge between venues.

The project is designed to give children a hands-on example of one aspect of civil engineering work, as well as providing access to established professionals with valuable insight into the careers available.

Pauline Vipond, who co-ordinates school activities on behalf of ICE North East, said: “Encouraging young people to consider careers in the industry is one of the Institution of Civil Engineers’ most prominent roles and we are very lucky in the North East to have firms and volunteers like those at Colas and A-one+ who are willing to dedicate the time to helping this happen.

“Students can often struggle to establish a route for their desired career path, so engaging with schools and students is vital in order to inform young people of the best ways to get into civil engineering.”

Phill Beaumont, Network Manager, A-one+ Area 14 said: “We are pleased to be able to continue to support the Institution of Civil Engineers by facilitating the transportation of the school bridge to allow as many children as possible to make use of it.”

Julie Black of Colas said: “The built environment employs a significant number of people here in the UK and civil engineering offers a fantastic career path for pupils, but they need to know what it means to be a civil engineer before they can make an informed choice to follow that course.”

Pamela Kidd, Headteacher, Highfield Middle School said: “We are delighted to have had the bridge at Highfield Middle School to offer the children a fun insight into some of the aspects of civil engineering. Building the huge model together challenged all the pupils to work as teams, using their varied skills and intuition whilst boosting their confidence. It was an absolute pleasure to see them all having such a great time learning.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Penny Marshall .