Avove, a leading name in infrastructure and engineering, has strengthened its focus on community engagement and youth development by hosting a Careers Day at Pelton Primary School in County Durham.
Organised in collaboration with Northumbrian Water and Seymour Civil Engineering, the event aimed to spark curiosity among Year 6 pupils, offering a hands-on glimpse into the engineering and construction industry, and showcasing some of the key projects currently underway across the region.
The day began with colleagues teaching students about the roles and responsibilities of its on-site operatives and encouraging questions to help spark an interest in STEM careers. A standout moment came when Avove Project Manager and former pupil, Matthew Simpson, shared his personal journey into the industry, offering a relatable perspective on the opportunities available within the sector.
Health and Safety was a key theme throughout the day. Pupils received Avove-branded hi-vis vests and participated in a poster competition promoting safe working practices. However, the highlight for many was a training simulator, allowing pupils to ‘drive’ their own excavator, as part of an interactive experience that brought a real sense of excitement and gave students a taste of life on a live construction site.
The initiative is tied to Avove’s ongoing work supporting Northumbrian Water on two consecutive schemes designed to reduce spills from Storm Overflows by over 65%. As part of this £8 million investment, infrastructure upgrades have been taking place around the school, making it a fitting location for the Careers Day.
Neville Maddison, Customer Experience Manager (NWG) at Avove, commented:
“From start to finish, the day was an overwhelming success, and I’m really pleased that we had an opportunity to give back to the community in such a valuable way. Throughout the delivery of the works, Pelton Primary School has been incredibly supportive, and so it was fitting way to mark the project, hopefully inspiring the next generation of talented engineers. We have plenty more STEM activities planned over the coming months, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they all unfold.”
Chris Bond, Project Manager at Northumbrian Water, said:
“Working so close to the school, it’s been important to mitigate the impact of our project upon the pupils, staff and parents, and we’ve worked hard to do that, through things like carrying out key elements during school holidays. But we want to do more, because the communities we work in are also our communities. At Northumbrian Water, we invest heavily in local people and businesses, and this Careers Day is a really great example of that.”
Avove supports clients in delivering industry-leading performance against their regulatory targets by designing, building and maintaining the UK’s utility infrastructure, transforming local communities for the better. As an official partner, Avove joins Northumbrian Water and its supply chain partners to deliver largescale construction programmes, creating economic growth and opportunities across the region.
