Less than 6% of young people are considering a career in a sector that already employs 3.2 million people (around 11% of the UK workforce) in over 170 different jobs. On average, those working in this sector earn more than everyone except those in the financial sector. The sector is currently experiencing significant technological and structural changes, leading to the emergence of new roles. These changes are necessary to improve the lives of everyone in our society, including their well-being, sense of security, and belonging. Additionally, they aim to reduce 42% of all human Green House Gas emissions they are responsible for. Unlike most other sectors, this sector values practical problem-solving and leadership skills as much as data analysis, technological expertise, design, engineering, and management.
If you don’t recognise that sector, then like most people you will, most likely be holding an out of date view of what used to be called Construction, and is now more accurately called the Built Environment. Just as in the Tech sector, programming is at the sharp end of creating all the systems and Apps we use every day, we are aware of the pervasive nature and range of expertise required by the tech sector. Construction is the sharp end of the Built Environment but no longer defines what happens in the whole sector.
All GCSE and A-level Geography teaching includes modules covering Urban Environments, or “Places” within which the importance of the world we create around us is explored. MEMF bring careers information and a range of resources from the sector into the classroom to bring these modules to life, at no cost (it is all free to schools, funded by the industry), and requiring no extra effort from teachers in the classroom. In addition, the optional national competition enables students, from years 7-13, to consider the impact on the built environment near to them creating a poster, presentation or video as a project or homework exercise.
To provide an insight into the Built Environment and showcase the wide range of career opportunities available, My Environment My Future (www.memf.careers) has been developed. This school programme aims to introduce the career opportunities within the Built Environment.
In the delivery of the Geography curriculum, both at GCSE and A-levels, there are dedicated modules that focus on the built environment. These modules explore the significance of the world we create around us. MEMF brings careers education and resources from the sector into the classroom, bringing these modules to life. The best part is that there is no cost involved for schools, as it is funded by the industry. Furthermore, it requires no training to deliver the programme.
We also run a nationwide school competition challenging young people aged 11 to 18 across the UK to redesign a local building or space, focusing on sustainability, design, and the needs of the local community, with an overall emphasis on wellbeing. It offers a unique opportunity for participants to showcase their creativity and innovation while exploring the impact of the built environment on wellbeing.
Additionally, students from years 7-13 have the option to participate in a national school competition. This competition encourages them to consider the impact on the built environment near them. They can create a poster, presentation, or video as a project or homework exercise.
While our focus has been on Geography, among the 540 teachers already registered, some have also formed connections to Maths, Art, and Climate change programs. You are free to use the MEMF resources for any purpose you choose and we provide awards for the most innovative use of the materials.
To access the full MEMF programme, register here and bring the enormous range of careers into your classroom from Town Planners to Plumbers, Data analysists to Drone operators.
