Page 39 - The Constructor 2017

Scholarships and Awards

Scholarship Presentations 2016/17
The Sir Ian Dixon Scholarship

The Sir Ian Dixon Scholarship was established in 1997 and it
is funded by the Sir Ian Dixon Legacy. This year, the
scholarship was awarded to two scholars., Andrew
Thompson of Lakehouse Contracts Ltd and Liz Walters of Sir
Robert McAlpine Ltd who are pictured left with Lady Dixon,
Bob Heathfield and Ian Mason, the Master of the Worshipful
Company of Constructors and Chris Blythe, Chief Executive
of the CIOB and a liveryman of the Company.
Andrew Thompson is a Compliance Manager for the Lakehouse Construction Division. Andrew joined
Lakehouse as an Assistant Site Manager in 2013 on an industrial placement whilst studying Civil
Engineering BEng (Hons). Upon graduating in 2015, he returned to Lakehouse in the role of Assistant
Contracts Manager before starting his role as Compliance Manager.
Andrew’s study aimed to investigate how to increase primary school places and improve school
building conditions in London and the South East, where the need is greatest.
Nine main case studies were investigated with support of other case studies for reference. It was
found that public buildings such as police stations and hospitals could successfully be converted into
primary schools. The research also identified various ‘innovative classrooms’ that involved using
double decker buses, boats and parks for learning and teaching. However, it was found that these
alternatives were not able to cater for large groups of pupils. There are limitations that exist with
these solutions presented in the study. Overall it was found that prefabrication, innovative design
and converting existing buildings were reliable and practical solutions to the school places and
school buildings crisis in London and the South East.
Liz Waters, Sir Robert McAlpine’s Stakeholder Communications & Community Manager joined Sir
Robert McAlpine in 2012 and is currently working on the Broadgate Redevelopment project. She has
a BA (Hons) in marketing and has previously worked in the regional media sector and freelance in
marketing, communications, sponsorship and events. Liz’s role includes working closely with client
British Land on strategic planning for stakeholder management, communications and socio-
economic investment for the 10-year redevelopment of Broadgate. Much of her role involves
interaction with education and local communities which has been a prelude to her research topic
which addressed “Construction as a career of choice for Young People”.
Given high levels of unemployment among young people and reports that an additional 224,000
construction jobs will be available by 2019, one would find it hard to imagine that the construction
industry is facing a skills shortage. Construction is generally not considered a preferred career
choice by young people despite the diverse range of opportunities available requiring different skills
and aptitudes. While there is a need for the industry to utilise sustainable measures such as
investment in training and apprenticeship to meet both short and long-term demand, perhaps one
of the initial questions it needs to ask itself is it is failing to attract young people into the industry.
The research topic looks at young people’s perceptions of the industry and makes recommendations
for how it can invest, inform and inspire young people to choose a career in construction.

Autumn 2017 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | 39