CONSTRUCTING OUR FUTURE
YORK MINISTER
On 20 June 2024, the Worshipful Company of Constructors proudly announced a three-year sponsorship to support a stonemasonry apprentice at the York Minster Centre of Excellence. This funding, provided through the Company’s Charitable Trust, highlights its commitment to preserving traditional craftsmanship and nurturing emerging talent in construction.
The York Minster Centre of Excellence is renowned globally for training in heritage skills such as stonemasonry, carpentry, and more. By supporting this apprenticeship, the Constructors are helping safeguard vital skills needed to conserve York Minster, one of Europe’s most iconic cathedrals.
Paul Shepherd, Chairman of the Worshipful Company of Constructors Charitable Trust, expressed his excitement, saying: “We’re thrilled to support this apprentice. This is the largest grant we’ve ever awarded, and it perfectly aligns with our mission to advance education and research in construction.”
The apprentice will gain invaluable hands-on experience alongside skilled craftsmen, learning traditional methods and modern conservation techniques. Complementing this will be a comprehensive curriculum, equipping them to preserve historic buildings for future generations.
We’re proud to reaffirm our long-standing tradition of promoting excellence in construction and preserving heritage crafts. This sponsorship ensures these invaluable skills endure, helping to conserve the country’s historic treasures for generations to come.
Alex McCallion, York Minster’s Director of Works, welcomed the partnership, stating: “The Constructors’ generous support comes at an exciting time as we expand our Centre of Excellence and grow our global network of heritage institutions.”
PRIMARY ENGINEER
The Worshipful Company of Constructors has teamed up with Primary Engineer to bring engineering into London classrooms through the Primary Engineer Construction Programme. This programme, which started back in 2005, is all about inspiring primary and secondary school students—and their teachers—with the endless opportunities in engineering and technology.
Here’s how it works: schools connect with industry professionals who bring real-world engineering into the classroom. Teachers get special training to deliver fun, hands-on STEM (that’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) projects. And it doesn’t stop there—engineers actually join in on the lessons, giving students a peek into what a career in engineering might look like.
This year 10 schools are jumping on board. Each school is sending two teachers to learn how to guide students through creative challenges, like building and testing towers and trucks. The goal is simple but powerful: spark an interest in STEM early on, tackle the UK’s skills gap, and get kids thinking like engineers.
And here’s the best part—diversity is front and centre. The programme encourages kids from all backgrounds to bring their unique ideas to the table, solving real-world problems together. It all wraps up with a big celebration where students show off their projects. It’s a chance for schools and communities to come together and really shine a spotlight on the amazing things engineering education can do.