CIC Signs MoU with the Built Environment Schools Trust

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has announced a Memorandum of Understanding with the Built Environment Schools Trust, signed at the recent meeting of the Council. William Hill (Chair), and Terry Watts (CEO) were in attendance to sign the MoU on behalf of the BE Schools Trust, together with the CIC Chair and Chief Executive of CIC, respectively Ian Brant and Graham Watts OBE.

The Built Environment Schools Trust, formerly the Chartered Surveyors Training Trust, is committed to inspiring young people, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue careers in the built environment through school outreach, bursaries, and sector mobilisation.

BE Schools Trust have collaborated with teachers and industry professions to create the ‘My Environment My Future’ school’s programme. The initiative is free for schools to utilise, and is designed to raise awareness about career opportunities in the built environment sector. The programme is designed to supplement the geography curriculum, and includes resources appropriate for Key Stage 2, 3, GCSE, and A-level students.

The MoU will see CIC and BE Schools Trust co-host events and webinars, share data and insights, promote mentoring schemes and advocate for the removal of barriers to entry, in addition to other collaborative ventures.

Graham Watts, CIC Chief Executive has commented on the MoU. “I welcome the opportunity to solidify our relationship with the BE Schools Trust. Their unique work with championing the built environment industry in schools and ability to engage with secondary schools is vitally important to the future success of our industry. Important work like this helps to address the skills pipeline issue and showcase the many opportunities available in our industry.”

Terry Watts, BE Schools Trust Chief Executive commented. “The CIC provide a unique forum where professional bodies in the sector come together, and we are delighted to be a part of it. Members of our professions expect their representatives to support engagement with schools, and we offer unique free, editable educational resources that bring careers information into the classroom, creating awareness of the exciting opportunities in the sector and priming a larger, more diverse talent pipeline for recruitment.”