A civil engineering body is introducing a new initiative to bring together colleges and industries to inspire the next generation of talent.

The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA North East) is launching The Groundworker Olympics, a competition that will showcase the talents of students studying construction skills courses, highlight the career opportunities available and address the growing shortage of skilled workers.

The programme, which launches this month, will see the first event taking place in June 2027 at Seymour Skills Academy, in Brenda Road.

The event will bring together students from Hartlepool College of Further Education and Derwentside College, in Consett, to compete in a series of events such as drainage, kerbing and concrete finishing.

The Civil Engineering Contractors Association is launching The Groundworker Olympics at Seymour Skills Academy, in Brenda Road.

placeholder image — The Civil Engineering Contractors Association is launching The Groundworker Olympics at Seymour Skills Academy, in Brenda Road.

Stuart Miller, director of CECA North East, said: “Some of the best careers in our industry start with someone being given the opportunity to have a go, discover what they are good at and realise that there is a place for them in civil engineering.

"That is what we want The Groundworker Olympics to create.

“What makes this initiative particularly exciting is that the idea has come from our Foundations Group.

"These are people who are already building their own careers in the industry and understand first-hand what it is like to take those first steps.

"They are helping to create something they would have valued themselves when they were starting out.

“We want students to come away from the event proud of what they have achieved, with a better understanding of where their skills could take them and, importantly, with contacts within the industry.”