Capital Xperience, an idea developed by young people in East London, promoted by London Development Agency, and now run by CYT and Newham College, provides paid summer holiday work placements for A-level students to encourage them to follow a career in construction professions.
The programme's two differences are that students have two weeks of induction before placement, and competition for placements through employer interviews.
Seeing the students impress employers during interviews, learning that a number of employers will be sponsoring 'their' student through university, and hearing, at the follow-up event, students express their gratitude for the opportunity, has undoubtedly provided me with some of the best job satisfaction of my long career.
The 2008 programme is now underway and all last year's employers are participating again, many with a request for more students. With more than 100 students applying and 50 placements to fill, more willing employers are needed.
The industry's future is bright provided we are all prepared to invest a little time and money in attracting the brightest young people and those employers participating will have the pick of the best.
John Peters
Construction Youth Trust