YOUNGSTERS had the opportunity to experience construction machinery at Glasgow’s Riverside Museum last weekend, in an event designed to inspire the next generation of industry professionals.
Organisers reported more than 36,000 people attended the Advance Construction Experience, which brought together the Advance Group of companies and industry partners to showcase the world of construction, engineering and infrastructure through interactive activities, live demonstrations, and family entertainment.
As well as a fun family day out, the event highlighted the variety of careers available in these sectors.
Visitors were able to take part in hands-on activities, while skilled operators and construction teams demonstrated machinery and techniques in the live Construction Demonstration Zone. The event also featured mini-digger experiences and a showcase of vintage machinery.
Scottish actor and professional wrestler Grado made a special appearance, while former Rangers, AC Milan and Monaco striker Mark Hateley joined coaches from St Mirren and Rangers to man a ‘Beat the Goalie’ challenge.
The event offered the chance to meet teams from across the Advance Group, with the business keen that those in attendance leave with an understanding that the industry offers a range of opportunities, from plant operation, engineering and construction management to surveying, environmental roles, technology and many other career paths.
A spokesperson for Advance Construction said, “We are completely overwhelmed by the response. To welcome more than 36,000 people over the weekend was beyond anything we could have imagined.
“The whole purpose of the Advance Construction Experience was to open our industry and let families see what construction is about and show the next generation just how fantastic our industry is, encouraging greater awareness of the diverse careers and opportunities available across construction, civil engineering and the wider infrastructure sector. Looking back at the weekend, we think we did exactly that.
“Attracting new talent and developing the next generation of skilled workers remains one of the construction industry’s most important challenges, and we wanted young people to see the machines, meet the people behind them, experience some of it for themselves and hopefully go home thinking: ‘I could do that one day’.
“Seeing thousands of children completely fascinated by the plant and demonstrations was incredible. If this weekend has inspired even a small percentage of them to consider a future career in construction, then we have achieved exactly what we set out to do.”
