Inspiring the next generation: A day of sustainable learning

On the 25th of June, Candy Hui, Principal Sustainability Consultant, and I had the privilege of hosting a sustainability workshop for 25 sixth-form students all based in Stoke-on-Trent, all aspiring to careers in the construction industry. The workshop aimed to introduce these young minds to the world of construction while providing them with invaluable industry contacts and hands-on experiences. It was also part of a broader initiative by Regeneration Brainery, a non-profit organisation focused on diversifying the construction industry by highlighting the career possibilities within the industry for young people from a diverse background.

A morning of interactive learning

The workshop was filled with interactive events and collaborative projects, designed to leave a lasting impression on the participants. Here's a closer look at the day's activities:

Introduction to Cundall

We began with an introduction to Cundall, explaining the services we offer and the various locations in which we operate. This session highlighted the RIBA stages and the crucial role of a multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy in a building design team, outlining when we typically get involved in a building's life cycle.

Understanding sustainability

Next, we delved into the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social. We discussed how these pillars can be balanced in engineering projects and emphasised the urgent need for sustainable solutions in today’s world. Key industry terms, such as net zero carbon, were defined to help students understand their significance in the built environment.

Role of sustainability consultants and engineers

We outlined the various workstreams within the Cundall sustainability team, detailing the types of assessments and aspects of design each workstream is responsible for. This session provided a comprehensive overview of the roles and responsibilities within our team.

Building physics and whole life carbon workshop

One of the highlights of the workshop was the hands-on activity where students worked in teams to apply sustainable design decisions to a local office building. They conducted research, sketched designs, and proposed sustainable systems and initiatives.

Candy and I were on hand to guide them, but the emphasis was on collaborative problem-solving and innovation. The activity concluded with presentations from each team, explaining their design decisions and the rationale behind them.

Industry sustainability insights

We provided insights into current trends in sustainable building, discussing passive design measures, active measures to reduce operational energy, renewable energy technologies, and sustainable materials that can reduce a building's upfront embodied carbon.

Wellbeing workshop

In another collaborative session, students brainstormed and applied wellbeing initiatives within an office setting. They considered where wellbeing areas would be best located within an office floor plan to create the optimal working environment. This workshop encouraged creativity in designing spaces that enhance employee wellbeing.

Broader initiative and feedback

The sustainability workshop was just one part of the two-day initiative organized by Regeneration Brainery. The event also included talks from developers, a site visit, and a workshop on building planning.

The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Many students expressed a keen interest in learning more about Cundall and the various disciplines within our company. It was a fantastic opportunity to provide insight for future engineers, contractors, project managers, and architects—an initiative I would have loved to participate in during my own education.

The enthusiasm and creativity displayed by the students was truly inspiring, and I look forward to seeing the impact they will undoubtedly make in the construction industry.