CIVIL engineering is bridging the gap in young people’s knowledge of the sector with a challenge to students aged 10 to 18 to construct a replica of the Severn crossing.

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), working alongside Foundation for Jobs, has brought its bridge project to Darlington for a two week stay.

The activity, which is being hosted by Darlington College, is designed to inspire young people to take up a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by working together to build a 14 metre cable stayed bridge.

During its two week stay students from all seven Darlington maintained secondary schools, several primary and Darlington College students will use the activity to increase their understanding of the civil engineering sector.

Pauline Vipond, activity co-ordinator for the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North East, said: “It is great to be working with the Darlington Foundation for Jobs on this project. The Foundation and the Institution share a key common goal, and that is to promote career paths for young people, so the relationship has the potential to inspire young people from across Darlington, through the engagement this bridge project enables.”

Tim Grant, principal of Darlington College said he was delighted to host such an exciting event for students and staff.

“This is a great opportunity for construction and engineering students to understand the world of civil engineering and we are thrilled to have such a magnificent structure in the middle of the college,” he said.

David Hodgson, regional chairman of engineering body ACE and managing director of Darlington based AMP Consultants, is also assisting with school visits during the bridge’s stay.

He said: “It's great that the ICE bridge construction project has been brought to students here in Darlington.

"The project is a fantastic way of introducing practical engineering work to young people and encouraging them to take an interest in construction and engineering.

"The fact that the bridge needs to be constructed by groups means that the activity also helps to develop crucial teamwork skills which are important within any sector.

"We're hoping that the students will seize this opportunity to learn more about working in engineering and even consider it as a possible career path."

Darlington schools have been invited to send a group of up to 20 students to a half day session where they will construct the weight bearing replica of the Severn Bridge, which links England and Wales.

A key aim of Foundation for Jobs, a joint initiative to combat youth unemployment involving The Northern Echo, Darlington Borough Council and The Darlington Partnership, is to build links between schools and business.

The aim is to build young people’s understanding of sectors where jobs are likely to be created in years to come but they may not have thought of as a career either through a lack of understanding of what is involved or perceptions they have of an industry.

Research has shown that children who have links with industry while at school are up to five times less likely to be unemployed at 25.