One of the largest ever skills events kicked off yesterday (23 September) at Lincolnshire Showground.
Over three days (Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 September) more than 1,500 school children, aged between 10 and 18 years, will get a hands-on introduction to vital trades such as carpentry, bricklaying, block paving, electrical and mechanical engineering, as well as welding using virtual reality simulators.
Now in its 21st year, Construction & Engineering Week aims to ignite passion and purpose in the next generation by delivering immersive, inclusive and impactful experiences that connect young people, educators and industry leaders.
Children were enthusiastic about the trades they tried at the event.
Pupils from Saint Lawrence Primary School in Skellingthorpe, west of Lincoln, enjoyed using a safety winch to pull up their teacher, who was attached wearing a harness as part of an activity delivered by Stallingborough-based training provider CATCH.
One of the year six pupils from the school said: “Getting the chance to winch up our teacher was weird, but great!
“I also got to do a hydrogen pop test activity (with Altrad). We managed to make a big bang sound while I was holding the test tube, which was a lot of fun. I like building stuff, so the day was really enjoyable.”
Rosie Hall, a year five teacher at the school, said: “It was great to see pupils that often struggle in the classroom coming to this event and thriving. Seeing them be successful doing practical, hands-on activities was amazing.”
Pictured: Altrad ran a hydrogen pop test activity – showing students how hydrogen can be generated through electrolysis and demonstrating the flammability of hydrogen in a safe, interactive way. Main image: ECITB CEO Andrew Hockey with school of the day St Michael’s on day one of Construction & Engineering Week 2025.
More than 50 companies from across the Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Humber regions are attending the event to showcase careers and trades in the construction and engineering construction industries with practical hands-on experiences.
Many of the companies bring apprentices and trainees, such as Grimsby-based Worley, which specialises in piping and structural fabrication works.
At the event, pupils got hands-on with an interactive piping activity. Using plastic push-fit piping, teams built a connected pipe system that demonstrates how a filtration process works – with water circulating through fine sand before being cleaned by a filter unit.
Worley apprentice pipe fitter Cian Carley, 20, from Grimsby, was on hand to help the pupils. He said: “The event is great in helping young people think about their future as there are plenty of things to try that they might not have known about.
“If they are not quite sure what they want to do, events like this can open their eyes as the activities are really engaging.”
Pictured: Pupils getting to grips with the piping activity run by Worley.
Free for primary and secondary schools to attend, the event is sponsored by the two Industry Training Boards for construction and engineering construction (CITB and ECITB) and is organised by the Lincoln Group Training Association (LGTA) and Abbey Access Training, in partnership with local employers. Event support sponsors include Lindum Group, ARCO, LineTrain and Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub.
Pictured: CEO Andrew Hockey and Chair Lynda Armstrong OBE from the ECITB with CITB CEO Tim Balcon and Chair Sir Peter Lauener at Construction & Engineering Week 2025. Below: Pupils taking part in different activities on day one.
Andrew Hockey, CEO of the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board, said: “Construction & Engineering Week is a great example of collaboration, with the CITB and ECITB working in partnership with industry, training providers and schools to inspire the next generation.
“We would like to thank the event organisers, event support sponsors and all participating companies that organise the practical activities for the young people and give up their time voluntarily to provide these hands-on experiences – empowering future talent and shaping the workforce of tomorrow.”
Tim Balcon, CEO of the Construction Industry Training Board, said: “It was inspiring and encouraging to see so many young people find such joy in learning about construction and engineering. It’s what Construction and Engineering Week is all about, and I want to extend a massive thank you to all the employers taking the time to showcase the industry and engage directly with young people that could be tomorrow’s workforce.
“In a time when construction skills are in such high demand, it is vital that we continue to create these opportunities to connect industry and education. The enthusiasm we’ve seen so far is a reminder of how important these events are in helping build the future workforce.”
Companies involved in Construction & Engineering Week 2025
- Abbey Access Training
- Action for Construction / Workforce Skills Support
- Alpha Construction / Balfour Beatty
- Anglian Water Education Team
- Altrad
- ARCO
- Lincolnshire Highways Alliance / Colas / Balfour Beatty
- Bowmer + Kirkland
- Brook & Mayo
- Harlaxton Engineering
- Cadet Vocational College
- CATCH
- Construction Training Academy
- Danaher & Walsh
- Daniel Charles Construction
- G F Tomlinson
- Gelder Group
- HETA
- IHP Integrated Health Projects / VINCI Construction
- Jointline
- KAEFER
- Keymer
- KIER
- Lincoln College
- Lindum Group
- Millstone Restoration Training
- Morgan Sindall Property Services
- National Grid
- Orsted
- Premier Access Scaffolding
- RG Carter
- Rase Steels
- Rilmac Insulations / Asbestos
- Rilmac Scaffolding
- Riseholme College / Chandlers Farm Equipment
- Royal Navy Attract
- RSMA / Linetrain
- Sunbelt
- TEC Partnerships
- TICA
- TunnelSkills / BTSYM
- UK Atomic Energies Authority
- Ultimate Demolition Construction Services (UDCS) / National Demolition Training Group
- Viridis Building Services
- Waldeck Consulting
- Wienerberger
- WJ Group
- Worley Field Services
- YMCA
