Partnership with Hartlepool College will assist students forge amazing careers

They are about to enter an industry that is very much on the up and they have the potential, over time, to forge amazing careers. The opportunities are endless for focussed, young people with a positive mindset.

However, we also have a skills shortage and it is crucial that we all play a part to support, encourage and highlight the career routes that are available.

It is for this reason that Castle has partnered with Hartlepool College, so we can provide valuable work experience for local students, at a time when high-quality, well-paid jobs, await the next generation of tradespeople.

Students, studying T-Level placements in Construction and Build, have been invited on a monthly basis to visit Wynyard Trade and Retail Park to see, at first-hand, how theory is put into practice and to also learn of the exceptional career opportunities opening up.

We were delighted to have been appointed as principal contractor, by Northumberland Estates, to deliver the facilities at the new park, which is set to attract high profile retail brands such as Starbucks and Burger King and will be anchored by a 46,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s superstore. The trade park will feature seven new units, which will be occupied by a range of businesses, including Howdens, Screwfix and JT Dove.

Castle, will host the students, providing them with the opportunity to observe various stages of the construction process, interact with different professionals and gain a better understanding of the industry and its real-world challenges and solutions. Our team are really looking forward to the interaction with the students, sharing their knowledge and passing on advice and guidance. I have no doubt we will also learn a thing or two from the students.

We enter the partnership at a time when we have secured a turnover of £65 million for 2024 and are one of the UK’s leading providers of all disciplines of construction, offering a wide range of high-quality engineering and contracting services covering all aspects of design, construction, mechanical, public health, renewable and electrical engineering.

Led by our operations director, Shaun Powell, we are building a strong relationship with Hartlepool College and wanted to offer students real-life work experience on a site that will greatly enhance the local community.

It is important to Castle that, as well as delivering high quality projects, we give back to the communities in which we operate. There is no better way of doing that than by assisting the next generation of people coming from our communities to thrive and flourish. The students at Hartlepool College, are studying design, surveying and planning for construction, by visiting our site regularly they will benefit from seeing the work progressing.

Our team are also looking forward to putting their skills to the test as we offer students practical insights into the construction industry.