Inspiring the next generation into the construction industry
As part of our ongoing commitment to inspiring the next generation and promoting a wide range of careers in the construction industry, we have been actively engaging with local schools to provide hands-on learning experiences.
Recently we were thrilled to welcome Year Two pupils from Kings Hedges Educational Federation School to one of our developments, where they had the opportunity to meet our apprentices and learn about the art of bricklaying from our subcontractor partners GSQ Brickwork Ltd.
During the visit, five of our Cambridge based apprentices demonstrated the skills involved in bricklaying and the construction of walls. They shared their personal experiences and explained why they chose to pursue a career in bricklaying. The session was interactive and engaging, with the apprentices using storytelling to introduce the children to different construction roles. The highlight of the day was when the pupils got hands-on experience, building their own walls using life-size foam bricks.
Abi Sharp, Year two teacher at Kings Hedges Educational Federation School praised the event stating, “The whole team were welcoming and had some fantastic activities organised for the children. They returned to school talking enthusiastically about construction jobs and the information they had learnt.”
The pupils echoed this sentiment with one student saying, “I enjoyed everything! We got to build a wall out of fake bricks and heard two stories about builders” while another added, “I liked going to see a building site. It looked like a hotel.”
At Aylesborough Close, we are proud to be delivering 70 low-carbon council homes designed to Passivhaus standards. This development consists of three low-rise buildings featuring a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, including wheelchair-accessible homes. Each unit is thoughtfully designed to provide comfortable living spaces with excellent air quality and reduced running costs.
To ensure the homes are both energy-efficient and comfortable, they will be well-insulated and equipped with high-performance windows, underfloor heating, air-source heat pumps, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and photovoltaic solar panels. Each home also includes private outdoor space, either a terrace or balcony.
The development is set within an enhanced landscaped environment, with existing green spaces along the edges being improved. A dedicated residents’ garden, play area, and horticulture zone will be incorporated, alongside new trees, mini meadows, and planting that contribute to a 20% biodiversity net gain. Sustainable features such as green roofs, rain gardens, permeable paving, and attenuation tanks are being integrated to manage surface water effectively.
