A World of Work Tasters 2026

A WORLD OF WORK TASTERS

Opening doors to

futures in construction

A World of Work Tasters event at The Engine Shed that opened the eyes of students to the art of the possible to a career in construction.Contents

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Hands on, eyes open: what the event included

The three days were packed with practical workshops and immersive experiences, designed to give young people a real taste of the modern construction industry.

From stone masonry and brickwork to digital construction, sustainability, and retrofitting, the event showcased the full spectrum of careers available.

Mrs Whitelaw, who brought students from Clyde Valley High School, shared:

"Just to say a huge "thank you" to you and everyone involved in today's Taster Sessions. The pupils were all really happy and talking about it on the way home.

They said that they enjoyed all of the sessions and, for one or two of them, it's made them re-think the section of Construction into which they want to go. They'd all been sent on the traditional Joiner/Electrician route but some of them are thinking about some of the routes which we experienced today."

The workshops were more than just demonstrations - they were invitations to try, to fail, to succeed, and to discover hidden talents.

As Miss MacVicar, who brought students from Wallace Academy, observed:

"Many thanks from the young people of Wallace for another fantastic day at the Engine Shed. They all had a brilliant time! Workshops and exhibitors were fabulous, and our staff who rotated throughout the day had a great time too."

Top five student takeaways

89% of students would recommend A World of Work Tasters to a friend

Awareness of jobs in construction

84_^%

A better understanding of construction

74_^%

Knowledge of skills & qualifications for careers in construction

56_^%

A better
understanding of the world of work

52_^%

Improved
teamwork
skills

47_^%

Building on Success

With over 200 pupils from 19 schools, a host of passionate educators, and a diverse range of employers and subcontractors, this year’s event was the biggest and best yet.

Sessions included: Let's Go Retro (retrofit/roofing), Carving Out Construction (stonemasonry), Pipe It Right (pipework), Digital Den (digital construction), Spark (mechanical & electrical workshop), A Greener Future (sustainability), and One Brick at a Time (bricklaying). The feedback was clear: the buzz, the excitement, and the sense of possibility were palpable.

And as the event continues to grow, its impact will ripple out - helping more young people find their place, their passion, and their future.

Why it matters: changing perceptions, raising ambitions

The event’s impact goes far beyond a single day. It’s about changing perceptions—among young people, parents, and educators—about what construction means and what it can offer.

Across the three days, the event delivered a clear impact - 95% of attendees rated it 'excellent' or 'good', with sessions averaging 4.1 stars out of five, and 89% saying they would recommend it to others.

Most significantly, the proportion of young people likely to consider a career in construction rose by 13% over the course of the event, with 77% saying they would after attending. Knowledge levels shifted too, just 31% arrived knowing 'quite a bit' or 'a lot' about careers in the sector; by the end, that figure had more than doubled to 69%.

Great day and all the workshops were engaging.

It was very informative and interactive. I would love to do it again

Credit someone here…

All of the staff that came out to work with us were friendly, welcoming and understanding. If we were doing something slightly 'wrong' they would help to put us in the right direction.

Credit someone here…

Springboarding futures: what comes next…

The true legacy of ‘A World of Work Tasters’ is the springboard it provides for young people’s futures.

By giving them the chance to try, to ask questions, and to meet real employers, the event helps them make informed choices—whether that’s confirming a passion, discovering a new path, or simply ruling something out.

Rachael Topping summed it up:

From a learning and development point of view, what I truly hope for them is that they leave knowing what they want to do. And it might be construction’s not for them, but they haven’t wasted years of their life finding that out…they’ve been able to come along, spend one day with us, and hopefully start to figure out what does the correct pathway look like for them next.

The event also strengthens the ties between education and industry, ensuring that schools can better prepare students for the opportunities ahead.

It allows Morgan Sindall and supporting organisations to attract their future workers, but at the same time, it allows pupils to see what’s out there. It allows them to see the variety of jobs available within the construction industry, and it also allows them to think, ‘there is an importance to school as well, using school as a vehicle to get us into these types of jobs."

An unforgettable setting for opportunity

Click to watch
the highlights reel

KEY STAT

77% of students would now consider a career in construction after the event

A special thanks to everyone involved

Only by true collaboration can the inherent challenges that exist within the construction industry be identified and challenged.

This event proved just this with industry leaders joining forces for the greater good.

Many thanks to our 2026 supporters: