Shoreham pupils among first to receive new children’s book promoting jobs in construction

What Do Construction Workers Do? by Emma Juhasz aims to increase diversity in the sector by supporting learning and providing an accurate illustration of the wide-ranging jobs available in construction.

Developer Wates Residential, which is currently carrying out the £24million investment programme to increase flood defences at Free Wharf on behalf of Southern Housing Group, has presented 120 copies to key stage two children at St Nicolas and St Mary CE Primary School.

Author Emma said: “I loved writing What Do Construction Workers Do? It became clear to me very quickly that the construction industry was like a sweet jar of opportunity. It has so many different jobs and caters for a huge variety of skills.

“I started the series of books, What Do, as I wanted to help young children get a better idea of how their talents and interests could be translated into jobs in their futures. It is easy to see how many of them could end up working in construction.

“Wates has been very supportive throughout this project and are inspiringly invested in children and their futures. I hope many children will find the building blocks they need, in the book, and join them one day.”

The books were well received by pupils, who said they had not realised how many different jobs were involved in construction.

Characters such as architect Ella and quantity surveyor Yasmin explain their roles and the qualifications needed, and the book shows how construction workers build structures.

Wates Residential is working with the Children’s University to encourage learning beyond the classroom and has presented a total of 5,000 books to key stage two pupils at 11 schools across London and the south over the next 7 days.

Kate Ives, development director, said: “Children’s potentials are being limited from a young age because they can’t be what they can’t see. At Wates Residential, we are passionate about inspiring children from all backgrounds and showing that the sector is open to all.

“What Do Construction Workers Do? demonstrates the diversity of jobs and people in our workplaces. The author, Emma Juhasz, and the Children’s University have done a wonderful job at helping us to bring our sector to life and I hope many more young people will be encouraged to see construction as a viable career option in the future.”

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