Starter for 10: university challenges welcome new hubs to the CIOB regional student competition

Construction students will be competing against each other next month in two new CIOB Student Challenges. 

This seasoned CIOB event sees teams from various regional universities pitted against each other in a day spent working on a brief that is then presented to a judging panel of industry representatives, university staff and sponsors.

Next month sees two inaugural events: one in the Midlands & Eastern region and another in Yorkshire & Humber.

“We are thrilled about the potential benefits it will bring to our educational institutions, employers and, most importantly, students,” says Susie Kearns, member services and events co-ordinator at the Midlands & Eastern Region Hub. 

“The CIOB Regional Student Challenge aims to engage students, identify future leaders and provide important links with industry representatives. These events, in other areas of the country, have not only been enjoyable and rewarding, but have also led to the recruitment of many talented students as full-time employees.”

The event takes place on 8 October at ARU Chelmsford and will see teams of 4-6 students studying at Level 4 and above (HND/HNC/bachelors and masters’ students). 

The topic is Tackling a Global Housing Crisis. Prizes include site visits, two separate week’s work experience with Bowmer & Kirkland and Willmott Dixon for the ‘stand-out’ students and Amazon vouchers for each student in the first and second place team.

The Yorkshire & Humber Student Challenge is also being run as the first of its kind in the region. It will be held at the University Campus North Lincolnshire in Scunthorpe.

“The university is relatively new to running construction-based courses and, by hosting it there, we are hoping to give them and their students exposure to industry professionals in CIOB,” says Maggie Simmons from the hub. The students will discover the brief on the day.

The one-day event is sponsored by Henry Boot Construction (Gold), Total Training and Development and British Steel (Silver) and Hays Recruitment Construction Department (Bronze).

The North West Student Challenge will take place on 5 November.