100s Of Local Students Explore Nine Elms Careers


Many of Nine Elms’ biggest investors and employers took part

The event, run by Wandsworth Council, showcased the new industries taking shape as this part of the South Bank transforms into a new central London business district and cultural destination.

Many of Nine Elms’ biggest investors and employers took part in the open day, showcasing opportunities across retail, finance, administration, construction, lighting and landscape designers, engineering, architecture, sales, commercial property and more.

Employers and agencies included Tideway, Ferrovial Agroman Laing O’Rourke, St. James Group, Sir Robert McAlpine, Mace, Wandsworth Council Apprenticeships,  Skanska, Carillion, Battersea Power Station Development Company, South Thames College, Knight Frank, Guy’s & St. Thomas’ NHS Trust, Bellway Homes, Berkeley Group, Let Me Play, Travis Perkins, Wandsworth Workmatch, Business Launch Pad, Fashion Retail Academy, Exterior Architecture,  Chocolate Films, Midgard, 4 Children and Assael Architecture.

A keynote speech was provided by Liz Waters from construction firm Sir Robert McAlpine which, in partnership with BL Harbert International, is building the new US Embassy on Nine Elms Lane.

She said afterwards, “The room was really buzzing and it’s great to see such raw enthusiasm. I think the event really helped dispel myths about what it’s like to work in construction and showed what a hugely varied and skilled industry it really is.

“Young people also found out about all the different ‘end use’ jobs being created in Nine Elms as all the new offices, shops and cultural attractions are built. The range on offer is really impressive and there are lots of ways to get started like training courses, apprenticeships and graduate schemes.”

Craig Ridout and Paul Little from Skanska told local students what it’s like to complete an apprenticeship: “We did four days a week at Skanska and one day at college - so we got paid whilst studying plus all the onsite experience. It gave us a massive advantage. We have stayed at the same company for seven years and we are just finishing our degrees now aged 23. Skanska funded our degrees too."

To find out about training and job opportunities in Nine Elms visit the Wandsworth Work Match site

April 6, 2016