Young people have been given experience of the property and construction industry at the nine acre Ruskin Square development in Croydon.
A construction and development event was held on the site of the first office building at the site next to East Croydon station which, it was recently announced, will become headquarters for the HMRC.
Lendlease, which is responsible for the construction of the first office building on the site, supported Croydon Construkt and youth-focused organisation Serious About Youth in the programme, providing access to the site which, once completed, will provide Croydon’s business community with nine storeys of brand new office space, with restaurant and café space on the ground and first floors.
The event at Ruskin Square, which is owned by Schroder UK Real Estate Fund and development partner Stanhope plc, was attended by 25 people aged 18-23 from all over Croydon.
Engineers, architects and construction volunteers were available to talk with the young people about their work while there were career presentations and site tours as well as activities covering the breadth of job opportunities within the construction industry – including health and safety presentations, material donations, technical advice, and Building Information Modelling presentations.
As part of LendLease’s longer term objectives to encourage young people to work in the construction industry, attendees also had their Construction Skills Certification Scheme card qualification paid for as well as support from LendLease in arranging work experience with the company’s trade contractors.
Jason Margrave, development director at Stanhope Plc, said: “It is vital that young people that are interested in working in the property and construction industry are encouraged to learn and develop through attending events like this at Ruskin Square.
“I have no doubt that a number of these intelligent young people will go on to make a positive impact in the industry should they choose to pursue a career in construction.”
Neil Martin, managing director of Lendlease’s Construction business, added: “For Lendlease, and the industry more broadly, it is essential that we get more young people, of all backgrounds, interested in exploring a career in the property and construction sector.
“Events like this one at Ruskin Square are invaluable in helping them gain a better understanding of the skills and qualities we are looking for and encouraging young people to pursue a career in construction and allow us to build a strong and skilled workforce for the future.”
Ruskin Square, which is situated adjacent to East Croydon station, will provide Croydon with five new office buildings, 625 new homes, shops and restaurants, and attractive new outdoor public space.