Farrans delivers Durham Works employability workshops at Easington Academy
Farrans is delivering an impactful social value programme as part of Project Pipeline: County Durham and Tees Valley for our client Northumbrian Water.
In County Durham and Tees Valley, we are improving the underground network of water pipes, installing 34km of new pipes, 800mm in diameter, between Lartington Water Treatment Works and Shildon via Whorley Hill. We’re taking the pipeline across the River Tees at two locations. At Cotherstone, we’re constructing a tunnel that will run 20m under the river bed and, at Alwent Beck, we’re building a pipe bridge.
Karen Alexander, Stakeholder and Social Value Co-ordinator, who is based at our project recently attended a workshop in her role as a business ambassador with Durham Works. The session engaged with year 10 secondary school pupils from Easington Academy.
Over the past year, Karen has dedicated 60 hours to supporting ten sessions in County Durham as a volunteer. These sessions cover a range of topics, all connected to the world of work. The workshops aim to give students a clearer understanding of their career options, emphasize the significance of employability skills, highlight what employers seek during interviews and explain why work is important.
Business Ambassadors help to encourage the pupils to ask questions about our roles and the companies we work for.
We stress that it’s not just all about exam results – that we’re looking for people who have important qualities such as enthusiasm, motivation and personal accountability. At every session, Karen has met some amazing young people who she can see will fit right into careers, hopefully in construction and civil engineering.
Find out more about Durham Works here: