At a glance

McPhillips, a construction firm based in Telford, has reached nearly 20,000 pupils over the past year through initiatives aimed at encouraging young people to consider careers in construction. These efforts, including site visits and STEM events, are part of the company's commitment to engaging the next generation and addressing future skills shortages in the industry. This initiative is significant as it occurs amidst concerns about youth unemployment and aims to inspire young people to explore career opportunities in construction.

Figures have revealed award winning construction firm McPhillips has reached almost 20,000 pupils across the last year through a string of initiatives designed at nurturing the next generation of talent. The Telford based firm, who are Shropshire’s biggest construction company, have recently completed a number of major projects, including the £9m renovation of Telford 6th.

Over the past year the firm, which is also working on a £20m retirement community in Newport, has hosted multiple site visits and STEM events for young people ranging from primary school age to those in post 16 education. The events form part of the company’s ongoing social value commitment to engage young people in the construction industry in the hope of bringing through the next generation of talent.

Social value coordinator Emily Myatt said the firm had now reached 19,097 students of all ages, through careers fairs, workshops and school visits. The events have showcased what McPhillips does, with the firm also being chosen by the Marches Careers Hub to lead a pioneering programme aimed at highlighting career pathways in construction, through site visits and online sessions.

Emily, who has been with the Telford firm for 12 months, said: “Over the last year it is amazing how many young people of all ages, from primary school to post 16, that we have been able to reach.

“As a company, we are dedicated to helping the next generation of people come through in a number of different roles. It is something we have a duty to do, and it is so rewarding to see so many youngsters engaging with us.

“Our range of events show young people the different roles and careers within construction, and it is something we’re really passionate about and will continue to do.”

The work McPhillips has done to reach over 10,000 young people across the region comes at a time when national figures show that 981,000 young people aged 16 to 24 are currently not in education, employment, or training. The upcoming Milburn Review will set out the full picture and how the government can reduce the figure through a range of initiatives.

Managing director Paul Inions, added: “The work that Emily and our wider team have done to engage so many young people in our industry through different initiatives and activities, is really impressive.

“Inspiring and nurturing the next generation of talent to work in our sector is key to futureproofing against skills shortages in our industry.

“I really hope that the work we continue to do will have sparked an ambition among many of them to come and work in our sector.”

Editorial insight

McPhillips’ outreach to nearly 20,000 young people in the past year underscores the growing emphasis on skills development within the construction sector, particularly in regions like Shropshire where the industry remains a major local employer. The company’s focus on site visits and STEM events aligns with sector-wide efforts to address long-standing recruitment challenges and to broaden awareness of career opportunities beyond traditional roles.

This local initiative comes at a time of heightened concern over youth engagement in education and employment, with almost a million young people nationally not in education, employment, or training according to recent figures. As the sector awaits the findings of the upcoming Milburn Review, which is expected to shape government response to these issues, programmes such as McPhillips’ offer a practical example of how industry can contribute to tackling regional and national skills gaps.

Story ideas and journalist angles

Industry trend

Role of Construction Firms in Educational Outreach: A Case Study of McPhillips

Investigate the growing trend of construction companies engaging in educational outreach to address industry skills shortages, using McPhillips as a case study.

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Impact of Construction Industry Outreach on Youth Employment in Shropshire

Explore how McPhillips' outreach initiatives are potentially influencing youth employment and training opportunities in Shropshire, against the backdrop of broader national concerns about youth not in education, employment, or training.

Target audience regional-news Story potential 7/10