19 Jan Essex developer recruits Building Buddies for school award scheme
Leading Essex developer Barratt and David Wilson Homes is engaging local school pupils in the construction process with its specially designed award programme in Hullbridge.
Now in its fourth year, the developer’s Building Buddies Award aims to get children interested in the industry and raise awareness of the variety of roles available in construction.
The award scheme is being hosted at Riverside Primary School, located close to the housebuilder’s High Elms Park development and will run for the duration of the academic year with 110 Year 5 and 6 pupils.
Building Buddies is broken down into four quarters and will teach young children about planning and land, sales and marketing, technical and design and construction.
Claire Smith, Headteacher at Riverside Primary School, said: “The children are excited to be engaging with this project; it will be interesting for them to learn about how developments are planned and constructed. Perhaps, we will inspire the new generation to enter the industry!”
Throughout the scheme, there will be a chance for the pupils to enter various design and literature competitions, for which the winners will be given their very own awards.
Within the activities, pupils will get the opportunity to name their own development and create a logo, as well as learning about site safety.
In addition to this, the school will receive a coveted Building Buddies Award which will be presented to them at the end of the academic year.
Annette Hurst, Sales Director at Barratt Homes Eastern Counties, said: “Engaging people in the construction industry is at the forefront of our minds and we are delighted to be running this award scheme with the pupils at Riverside Primary School.
“Getting young children involved and interested in construction is extremely important to us, as we want to start inspiring the next generation of builders and tradespeople.
“We know from experience at our developments that young children are fascinated by diggers and other construction machinery and this is something we always try to encourage.”
The Building Buddies Award scheme includes:
A development name and logo design competition
A marketing and writing competition to pitch the development
A wildlife friendly exercise
A site safety visit and site safety poster competition
Located on Lower Road, High Elms Park will feature a collection of two to five bedroom properties delivered by Barratt and David Wilson Homes.
