BAM Construction UK, the company responsible for the all-new Regent cinema and leisure build in progress at Redcar, have been inspiring young minds at Belmont Primary School in Guisborough.
Year 5 pupils enjoyed discovering what a job in the construction field would entail at Belmont's annual Early Careers event, where six sessions were carried out over a six week period.
The children had a lot of fun taking part in an introduction to construction session, construction materials workshops and a ''Build It'' challenge, where they rose to the occasion, designing and building their own fantastic bridges.
There were also sessions on career choices and employability skills.
Belmont headteacher, Chris Gibson, said:
“We are very thankful to BAM for coming in and giving their time to support our careers programme. I feel it is so important to open the eyes of our youngsters into the ways of the real world and life beyond education, something too often overlooked at primary level.
“I know the children have not only enjoyed the project, but they have also benefited from it enormously."
Deputy Leader of the Council, Alison Barnes, who has responsibility for Children and Families, commented:
“It is great to hear about the pupils at Belmont enjoying themselves, being on-task and fully engaged in their careers experience.
“With the number of regeneration and construction projects happening all across our region, perhaps some of the children will have been inspired to consider a career in construction in the future."
“The BAM organisation would like to thank, firstly, the children for their enthusiasm and, secondly, Mr Gibson and his staff," added Mark Laidlaw, BAM Construction's Project Manager for the Regent development. “The school facilitated what I believe will give the children a real insight into our business, as well as learning key information on careers in general.
“The behaviour and work ethic of the children were impeccable; they were a credit to the school and staff and I very much hope we will see them at the Regent when the cinema is complete – the popcorn's on me!"