Students at St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School, St Helens, have taken their first steps into the world of construction thanks to a new work experience partnership with A&B Engineering, one of the subcontractors supporting the major regeneration of St Helens town centre.

Developed through the Equalex work experience pilot and supported by the Liverpool City Region Careers Hub, the initiative gives young people meaningful, hands-on insight into the construction industry as they consider future study and career options.

Over the course of a week, A&B Engineering delivered a series of interactive workshops for pupils studying the school’s new Construction GCSE. Sessions combined classroom learning with real-world insight into one of the UK’s fastest-growing sectors. Students explored digital visualisations of the town centre redevelopment, learned about sustainable building practices, and heard from specialists at VINCI Building, the project’s main contractor.

The week concluded with a visit to Edge Hill University, where pupils attended a lecture on sustainability and toured the campus, offering a valuable first look at higher education pathways connected to construction.

A&B Engineering has committed to working with the same group of students for at least three years, offering ongoing workshops and mentoring to help them understand Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) engineering and other career routes within the sector.

Vicky Jones, Careers Lead at St Cuthbert's, said: “St Cuthbert's are delighted to have forged such strong links with A + B Engineering. It is fantastic that the company have invested time and resources to prepare our students for the world of work. As part of Equalex, the government’s modern work experience pilot, our first construction students have benefited from meaningful, real-life interactions with experts in the industry. We are very grateful for the ongoing support as we prepare to scale up these modern work experiences for the next generation of construction industry specialists.”

Dawn Georgeson, Social Value Manager at A&B Engineering, added:

“Being part of this pilot has been genuinely inspiring. Working closely with the staff and pupils at St Cuthbert’s has shown us just how much potential there is in the next generation. As a business specialising in Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) services, it’s been a privilege to help students understand the realities of our industry and the wide range of career pathways available to them. This is more than work experience – it’s about opening doors, raising aspirations, and showing young people that there is a place for them in construction. We’re incredibly proud to support them on this journey.”

Cllr Kate Groucutt, St Helens Borough Council, also praised the initiative: “Just as the regeneration of St Helens is breathing new life into the community, the team at A&B Engineering is helping to create new pathways into the construction industry. This same spirit of innovation and creativity is what will inspire young people to explore careers they had not previously considered. It’s an investment not only in the long-term success of the St Helens economy, but also in the lives and futures of the families that live here.”

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