Students from Alt Bridge School, Huyton, have been given a hands-on introduction to the world of construction as part of a live project in Kirkby led by Sterling Services (Northern) Ltd.
The project,commissioned by Knowsley Council, is transforming the ground floor of the Kirkby Centre into Alt Bridge School’s new post-16 provision, creating a dedicated space for students with special educational needs and disabilities to continue their education journey.
As part of this, SEND students were invited onto site for a trade taster day, giving them the opportunity to feel part of the project and play a hands-on role in its development. The day saw young people step out of the classroom and onto an active construction site to experience practical skills including joinery, plastering and electrical work.
Rather than learning about careers theoretically, students were able to try them for themselves working alongside professionals, using real equipment and gaining insight into the day-to-day reality of the industry. One student said he would “remember the day for the rest of his life.”
Paul Blennerhassett, Group Chairman of Sterling Services (Northern) Ltd, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to see the children enjoying the practical hands-on workshops yesterday.
“We take enormous pride in being a Knowsley based business, and that means we feel a genuine responsibility to invest in the people and communities around us. Seeing these young people on site yesterday trying their hand at real trades, working alongside our supply chain partners and visibly lighting up, was one of the most rewarding days of this project.
“We hope it plants a seed for some of them, and here at Sterling Services, we are committed to continuing this engagement with Alt Bridge School as the project progresses. This is exactly the kind of work that reminds us construction isn’t just about buildings, it’s about what those buildings will be used for and the futures we help to build.”
Helen Paton, Social Value Manager for grow CIC, said: “Our work is about designing social value that matters, delivering it well, and proving the difference it makes. This project is a powerful example of how structured, measurable social value can open doors for young people who deserve every opportunity to thrive. ”
The event forms part of a wider Schools Engagement Programme being delivered by Sterling, designed to give students early exposure to construction and help them make more informed decisions about apprenticeships, further education and future careers.
By working directly with Alt Bridge School, as the Principal Contractor on the project, Sterling Services (Northern) Ltd is building a longer-term relationship that goes beyond a one-off event creating opportunities for ongoing engagement, skills development and investment into the local community.
Orla McDaid, a teacher at Alt Bridge School was delighted with the impact this has made on her students. She explained: “This has been amazing. The kids are just so happy doing practical lessons and hopefully it’ll help them figure out what they want to do after school. The students have had a go at plumbing, electrics, joinery and plastering.
“We think it’ll open a pathway for some of our students into the world of construction because many of our students wouldn’t have known this is an option for them. Some of them are really enjoying it and we’ve actually got one student who’s thriving and now wants to be an engineer.”
The success of the day was made further possible through the support of three of Sterling’s supply chain partners, Spectrum Drylining Limited, Stewart Construction (Northern) Ltd and Zenit Electrical Ltd. Two of the businesses are based in Knowsley and one just over the border in Liverpool, and all three generously gave their time, expertise and resources to help deliver the hands-on activities. Their contribution played a key role in creating a meaningful experience for the students and reflects the wider commitment across the supply chain to investing in local young people.
The initiative also reflects a broader shift in how social value is delivered, moving beyond traditional metrics to focus on meaningful, real-world impact.
Through experiences like this, students not only develop practical skills, but also gain confidence, meet people working across the sector, and begin to see pathways that may not have previously felt accessible.
The programme is expected to continue alongside the construction project, with further opportunities for students to engage with the industry as work progresses.