Female students inspired by wide range of careers in the built environment
More than 70 girls from secondary schools across Huntingdonshire took part in this year’s Make Your Mark event at Alconbury Weald. The initiative is designed to inspire and empower young women to explore careers in construction and development.
The students gained valuable insights into the wide range of professions within the built environment, and saw how these disciplines work together to create sustainable new communities like Alconbury Weald.
Year 9 students from St Ivo Academy (St Ives), St Peter’s School (Huntingdon), Sawtry Secondary School and Abbey College (Ramsey) attended the inspiring design, construction and engineering taster day, which aims to challenge stereotypes and open doors to new career opportunities.
The morning started with an interactive design workshop led by Laura Bradley, Founder and Director of Bradley Murphy Design. After introducing the role of a landscape architect — and her work with the Make Space for Girls charity, which champions more inclusive public spaces — Laura invited students to contribute ideas for a new green space within the future Runway Park.
Students were encouraged to think about what makes a space feel welcoming, safe and enjoyable, considering elements such as accessibility, materials, colour and layout. Working collaboratively with peers from other schools, they developed their ideas before presenting them to the wider group.
The workshop generated a wide range of creative concepts, including areas for sports such as basketball, football and volleyball; adventurous features like zip wires; quiet zones for studying or socialising and interactive water features. Other innovative ideas included using colour to clearly define areas for nature, play and relaxation, and exploring options for lighting triggered by movement on footpaths or running routes to create a safer environment. These ideas will help inform the design of this area within the wider park as plans progress.
In the afternoon, the students had a chance to try their hand at bricklaying, experience virtual welding and operate heavy machinery through a state-of-the-art plant operator simulator. Delivered by Constructed Pathways and the Eastern Education Group, the sessions highlighted career paths within sectors where women are traditionally underrepresented.
The activities created a real buzz of excitement, with students enthusiastically engaging in each activity and discovering new skills and interests.
“It was amazing to showcase different areas of construction and engineering. All were very keen to ‘have a go’ and understand the potential of careers in bricklaying, welding and heavy plant operation. Some were absolute naturals at excavating large stones on the simulator — watch this space for a shift in women entering the construction sector!”
The afternoon events form part of a wider commitment to broaden participation in construction and engineering, ensuring young women can see themselves represented in high-skill, high-demand sectors.
“This is our fourth year attending Urban&Civic’s Make Your Mark event, and honestly, this year was the best yet.
“Our young ladies thoroughly enjoyed the creative design workshop, exploring what young women want and need from play spaces to feel safe and have fun. The addition of hands-on with activities such as bricklaying, virtual welding and even operating a digger simulation added another dimension to the day. It really opened their eyes, sparked curiosity and you could see their confidence growing by the minute.
“We look forward to this event every year, and are incredibly grateful to Urban&Civic for consistently going above and beyond to deliver such a well-organised, welcoming and empowering event.”
“There is a wide range of well-paid career opportunities within the built environment that might be overlooked by young women – not though lack of interest, but a lack of awareness. We hope the Make Your Mark event encourages these Year 9 students to explore further education and apprenticeship pathways as they consider their future options.”
This event is part of a programme of initiatives designed to create opportunities for local people within the built environment sector. This includes working with Constructed Pathways and the CITB under the National Skills Academy for Construction Framework.
