MKM Building Supplies has teamed up with local charity Hull and East Yorkshire (HEY) Children’s University to give primary school students a unique insight into the exciting opportunities available in the UK’s building and construction industry.

 

28 pupils from the Mersey Primary Academy, which is located just a stone’s throw from MKM’s central support offices in the city, recently attended the MKM ‘Experience Day’ – an innovative event designed to help inspire the younger generation.

Kerry Hunt, MKM Building Supplies’ Learning and Development Business Partner, said: “As a business, supporting the local communities in which we operate is really important to us.  MKM is also extremely passionate about education and developing the next generation of talented individuals that will continue to support UK construction for years to come.

“We were therefore delighted to be able to join forces with HEY Children’s University for this fun and exciting project.  It’s a local charity close to MKM’s heart that is dedicated to helping those children that need it the most.

“The MKM ‘Experience Day’, which we held at our central support offices, included a host of engaging learning experiences all designed to help broaden the horizons of the children that attended, build their self-esteem and create aspirations.  It was a fantastic day for everyone involved and one that MKM was proud to be a part of.”

On the day, the Year 5 pupils from Mersey Primary Academy took part in a series of workshops.  This included designing a poster with MKM’s expert marketing team and how to spot hazards and dangers in the workplace with the company’s health and safety manager. 

In addition, pupils had the opportunity learn more about MKM’s commitment to sustainability and the environment as well as listen about the day in the life of one of MKM’s transport drivers and sit in his truck. 

All the children who attended received MKM Goody Bags, including branded baseball caps, water bottles and pens and pads.  One lucky pupil also won a VIP prize – the Hull City mascot package.   This includes a Hull City football kit, a tour of the MKM Stadium, 2 x tickets to a Championship game, the opportunity to meet the players and coaches and be the Hull City mascot. 

Rose James, Partnership Manager at HEY Children’s University, commented: “I’d like to thank our partners MKM Building Supplies, it was a brilliant experience for the Mersey Primary Academy students, giving them the chance to be truly stimulated by the activities ran by the MKM team.  It was a fantastic mix of inspirational talks and practical and exciting workshops for pupils to enjoy.”

As the largest independent builder’s merchant in the UK, with over 90 branches nationwide, MKM Building Supplies offer a wide range of career pathways, from roles within the branch network, from yard and warehouse operatives, to customer service roles and transport operators through to central support services like finance, HR, IT and marketing.

Sarah Clark, Teacher at Mersey Primary Academy, concluded: “It is beneficial for children to understand a local business around the area. This will give children the insight into future jobs and understand the layout of a workplace. It will benefit children to understand the area and what is important to support the community. The children will develop an insight into how the building industry works.