Inspiring the next generation

Being welcomed by a vampire and teaching alongside a giraffe and a giant parrot aren’t really what you’d expect when you turn up to run a maths lesson for youngsters at your local school.

But that’s what Commercial Manager Geoff Carruthers had to contend with when he went along to Astrea Academy Dearne in Rotherham to support delivery of the Maths curriculum and provide pupils with an insight into the construction industry.

Geoff hadn’t bargained for the fact that 7th March, the day he was due to run two sessions at the academy as part of National Careers Week, was also World Book Day; hence the unconventional dress of his fellow staff members.

Geoff held sessions for a Year 10 and a Year 11 class, running practical activities and talking to pupils about how he got into construction, what a Quantity Surveyor does, other roles in the industry and the kinds of opportunities available. He also shared some information about SRM and took the opportunity to debunk a few myths about the sector.

Having told pupils they were to be Quantity Surveyors for the session and needed to dress for the part Geoff was amazed at the scramble for the PPE he’d brought with him.

“I thought they wouldn’t want to do this,” said Geoff . “I was wrong…They loved dressing up. I was really susprised at this. What an ice breaker, it was suddenly fun to them…”

The youngsters clearly enjoyed the sessions, getting stuck into the practical elements and learning more about the demand for construction professionals both at home and abroad.

We hope Geoff's visit has helped inspire the future generation of construction professionals.