Morgan Ashurst and M&E Civil Engineering team up for student site visit
Ashford-based construction company Morgan Ashurst has joined forces with M&E Civil Engineering and Groundworks to show a group of youngsters from the Caldecott Foundation what it’s like to work on a construction site.
The two companies, which are both based in Station Road, Smeeth, invited 16 young people from the Foundation, which provides residential care for children aged between five and 16 who have suffered cruelty and mistreatment, to visit Morgan Ashurst’s construction site at Ashford Business Park in Sevington. The visit formed part of a project which the youngsters have been undertaking with M&E Civil Engineering and Groundworks, which is working as a subcontractor to Morgan Ashurst at Ashford Business Park, to give them a greater understanding of civil engineering.
During the visit, the group were given a tour of the site by Morgan Ashurst contracts manager Gary Betts and M&E’s director Doug Earle where they were able to take a closer look at the construction process and speak to members of the site team about the work they have carried out as part of the project.
Gary Betts says: “As a local employer and with the current skills shortage facing the construction industry, we are always happy to do what we can to show young people that there is a vast range of opportunities for them if they decide to pursue a career in the industry.”
Doug Earle says: “We hope between us we have identified opportunities that exist in the building industry. We were very pleased that the day went well with lots of interesting and direct questions being asked by the youngsters.”
Clive Lee, chief executive of The Caldecott Foundation, says: "Our students really enjoyed the day, which gave them a real insight into what goes into a major construction project. We welcome this sort of initiative, which linked with a classroom project as well as providing a glimpse of the world of work."
Morgan Ashurst is building the £3 million light industrial development at Ashford Business Park for commercial property group PPG Southern Ltd. Comprising 24 individual premises, Morgan Ashurst is also carrying out associated infrastructure works as well as creating car park facilities.