Education Outreach - Inspiring future generations

The future of the built environment lies in the hands of children and young people who, very likely, have little idea of the fantastic careers scope it offers them, the creativity, variety and excitement ahead. Now is the time to get their attention, inspire them with our own stories.  Maybe one day, they will be our engineers, architects, planners, surveyors…....this is what Women in Property Outreach is all about.

Each of our branches has an Outreach representative, who works with other members to organise visits to schools and colleges in the area.  The age range varies, starting in primary school, and going right through to apprenticeships and University undergraduates. 

For more information on our Education Outreach activities, please contact us at info@womeninproperty.org.uk

Here is a snapshot of just some of the work Outreach volunteers do, from individual careers talks to academic-year-long programmes. 

Central Scotland

Annual School Outreach Design Programme with Douglas Academy - From August 2023 to June 2024, 14 pupils in their 2^nd year of secondary school (age 12 – 13) worked in small groups to design a £7m primary school. The pupils had one dedicated expert session per month from industry professionals representing architecture, structural engineering, sustainability, marketing, business development, employability, responsible business, building services, M&E, quantity surveying and planning. 

At the end of the programme, pupils presented their final projects Infront of their peers, parents and carers as well as the professionals who supported the programme. Pupils received a £10 amazon voucher and certificate of excellence for taking part, and each group received Best Endeavours in categories such as innovation, collaboration, design and creativity and excelling in the interpretation of the brief. 

Our thanks to McLaughlin & Harvey and East Dunbartonshire Council who lead a collaborative partnership/joint venture with us to deliver this fabulous project. Thank you too to volunteers from Reach And Hall, CDA Architects, Christie Gillespie, Curtains, Buro Happold, Stantec, PMP Project Management & Building Consultancy Ltd, HKA Global Ltd, Kier, Gardiner & Theobald and Baker Hicks 

As a result of the programme, 71% of students said they would take part in the programme again and 50% of the students would now consider a career in the built environment. 

Highlands & Islands 

Nairn Academy Careers Fair - Women in Property took a table at this careers fair held at Nairn Academy, a State High School.  It was open to all High School year groups, but with a focus on the 5^th and 6^th Years (Lower and Upper Six, in England and Wales).  With representation from rural and commercial property solicitors, a rural surveyor, quantity surveyor and civil and structural engineer, volunteers talked to the students about careers across all sectors of the Property industry, aided by handouts and an interactive measuring game.

Our grateful thanks to the employers who supported the Women in Property team in attending the event and providing materials, namely Pick Everard, Thorntons, Leadingham Chalmers, Highland Rural and Fairhurst.

North West

Jobs for Tomorrow Careers Talk - Thanks to Careers Connect for the invitation to talk to Year 10 students at St Julie’s Catholic High School in Liverpool, where members presented to several classes about their job role, career journey and business and sector they work in, as well as potential careers in the built environment industry.  

Thank you to Morgan Sindall and Fairhursts for their support.  So far in 2024 Women in Property North West has supported over 400 students at Education Outreach events.

Yorkshire & North East

A team of Women in Property volunteers held a series of sessions at Grimes Dyke Primary School in East Leeds.  Pupils from years 4, 5, and 6 were guided by experts from organisations including Taylor Wimpey, Wates, Devonshires, William Saunders and Local Dialogue. They learnt about the different jobs on a construction site and, working in teams using the school’s loose parts area, designed and built their own freestanding structures. These included pirate ships, rockets, office spaces, cars and gyms. Pupils were also able to quiz the professionals about their careers.