The Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants (WCoBM) has spoken of the importance of raising young people's awareness of careers with builders merchants after it exhibited at this year's City Livery Schools Link conference.

Young students between the ages of 14 and 17 attended the one-day event held in March this year at Barber-Surgeons’ Hall in London, learning more about the range of career opportunities in the trades, industries and professions the Livery Companies represent. The WCoBM stand was attended by master Gill Moore, clerk Tim Statham, liveryman Andrew Pine and almoner Andrew Adams.

Twenty-nine Livery Companies committed their support to The Livery Schools Link, a volunteer organisation supporting education by preparing events for schools. It provides volunteering opportunities for members of the City Livery Companies.

The WCoBM gave out Oyster card wallets and bright yellow rulers to attendees, alongside talking to students about job opportunities in builders’ merchanting or with a supplier of building materials.

Liveryman Andrew Pine says: “We were very pleased with how the day went given that it was our first time. It’s important to have material which actively engages and involves the students when they visit your stand.

“What became apparent very quickly though is how little students knew about our trade, including teachers and career officers. The event emphasised the importance of taking part in the Livery Schools Link and in doing more to raise the profile of our industry to young individuals and their teachers.

“We work in a dynamic industry with lots of career opportunities but many students are unaware of the possibilities of working in a builders’ merchant or with a supplier,” Mr Pine said.

“We enlightened one teacher who then brought her students to the stand. One expressed an interest in becoming a tradesman, and the teacher was able to explain how working for a builders’ merchant would still allow him to engage with the trade and products in different ways.”

Image courtesy of David Hodgkinson.