A unique 13m cable-stayed bridge teaches West Cumbrian students hands-on civil engineering skills, promoting STEM careers and pathways into construction.
We have been using a 13m cable-stayed bridge, one of only a handful available in the country, to teach West Cumbrian students practical civil engineering skills.
We are working with local education and community partners, using the bridge to promote STEM skills and career opportunities in construction.
Claire Louise Chapman, Social Impact Lead, Sir Robert McAlpine, said:
“This is such an unusual resource, and it’s fantastic that we have it in West Cumbria to raise awareness of construction skills. Students building the bridge think about project management, health and safety, quality, as well as getting hands on with construction. It’s good fun, gets students thinking about construction and, we hope, will ultimately motivate more people from diverse backgrounds into our sector.”
Lakes College is hosting the bridge while it is in West Cumbria. At 13 metres long, it needs a big space, and was first used at the Lakes College Festival of Work in July, where groups of school students built the bridge, learning about the diversity of skills and careers needed in civil engineering. The College then used the bridge to promote student recruitment into construction training as part of their Skills Development Week for the Extended Certificate in Construction Skills.
The students and staff loved it. We intend to think of other projects we can do with students, because of the response off these students today.
Eleanor Fleming Lakes College Curriculum Team Leader - Civil Engineering
Future plans for the bridge include working with community partners All Together Cumbria and Cumbria Youth Alliance to support adult career changers and to offer an INSET day for careers and STEM leads to promote the diversity of careers in construction and pathways for young people.
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