Fourteen students, and two members of staff, from Sir James Smith’s School in Camelford, Cornwall, visited the site, as part of the annual Open Doors event, delivered by Build UK. The whole event, organised in partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), provides local communities, and the next generation, with a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the wide variety of career opportunities available within the industry.

Site manager, Andy Smith, and quantity surveyor, Sam Coxon, welcomed the students with a presentation at the Tamar Bridge visitors’ centre, before escorting them safely onto site to view the works area on the main deck. Originally opened in 1961, the Tamar bridge is a 335m long suspension bridge, spanning the River Tamar 

between Saltash, Cornwall and Plymouth, Devon. VolkerLaser was contracted by the joint authorities of the Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council, to undertake essential resurfacing works to the main bridge deck. The existing surface, which is more than 20 years old, is nearing the end of its serviceable life, and needs to be replaced, to ensure the safety of people using the bridge.

Following the site visit, the students were given a presentation from representatives of the Tamar Bridge visitors’ centre, as well as a tour of the VolkerLaser site compound.

Site manager, Andy Smith, said: “It was great to get a local school to site, to get an inside look on a project within their own community, and to play a part in inspiring the next generation to pursue a career in construction.”

Quantity surveyor, Sam Coxon, added: “Being relatively new at VolkerLaser, it was brilliant to be involved in this event, and to interact with the students on site. Hosting activities like this is a fantastic idea to showcase the wide variety of careers available, it will definitely have given them all some options to consider.”