Making Tracks into Construction Gala returns bigger and better than ever
This year's Making Tracks into Construction Gala attracted record attendance, with more than 1,500 students, teachers and jobseekers from across four counties, taking part in this highly-anticipated annual event.
Held over four days at our Bicester site, the event brought multiple schools and colleges together, alongside approximately 100 guests from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) interested in exploring careers and opportunities within the construction industry.
Now in its fourth year, the Making Tracks into Construction Gala featured 35 interactive stands delivered by our teams, and 27 supply chain partners and STEM specialists. Visitors had the opportunity to take part in a range of immersive activities designed to showcase the breadth of careers available across construction, engineering and infrastructure.
Instructor and Careers Lead at Meadowbrook school, Michelle Collier, said: "I would like to say a huge thank you for inviting us to the Construction Gala today. It was an incredible event, and my students thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
It was a real joy to see them actively participating in all the activities, and they didn't stop talking about their experiences all the way back to school!"
From plant simulators and surveying challenges to environmental activities and engineering demonstrations, attendees gained hands-on experience of the skills and disciplines helping to deliver Britain's new high-speed railway.
EKFB's Managing Director, Sally Cox, had a chance to attend the gala and meet with exhibitors, volunteers and visitors and see first-hand how the gala is helping inspire the next generation of construction and engineering professionals.
EKFB's Skills, Employment and Education advisor, Victoria Hingley, said: " Seeing more than 1,500 students experience construction and engineering first-hand is exactly why we do it. Months of planning paid off as young people engaged with hands-on activities, industry experts and real career opportunities. Thank you to everyone who helped make the event such a success and inspire the next generation of talent. Its a phenomenal example of C23 One Team ethos and how collaboration benefits everyone.”
Alongside the gala, colleagues and supply chain partners helped raise more than £1,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support through a cake sale held during the week. Entries were judged by Sally, with Becky Rowley, Skills, Employment and Education Advisor, crowned this year's star baker after taking first place in the competition.
As an industry, we face an ageing workforce and a growing skills gap. Events like Making Tracks into Construction play an important role in helping people of all ages understand the opportunities available across construction, engineering and infrastructure, while inspiring the next generation to consider STEM and construction career pathways.
