icon-arrow-right icon-play icon-close
HomeNewsVolkerFitzpatrick host behind the scenes look at major construction project for budding engineers

VolkerFitzpatrick host behind the scenes look at major construction project for budding engineers

Recent

The Crossrail site in Ilford being constructed by VolkerFitzpatrick opened its doors to a group of budding engineers and rail enthusiasts in March as part of the national ‘Open Doors Weekend.’

Open Doors Weekend

The group which consisted of young people aged 11-24, their parents and Crossrail enthusiasts   visited the Ilford Yard Stabling project. Whilst on their tour they leant about the Crossrail story and the work going on in engineering, design, archaeology, sustainability and community engagement on the site.

As part of their day, the visitors also toured a number of buildings on site, including the paint shop and logistics building. The event also allowed the youngsters who were interested in construction and engineering careers to talk to industry experts and see parts of the site usually not open to the public.

Crossrail is the biggest construction project in Europe and is one of the largest single infrastructure investments undertaken in the UK. Once complete, the Ilford Yard will be a vital part of the Crossrail route, providing tracks and facilities to store trains overnight and carry out maintenance.

Bobbette Watson, VolkerFitzpatrick, workplace coordinator said: “Everyone who attended the event rated the tour highly and found the information provided by our experts very useful. The Ilford site is the first VolkerFitzpatrick site to host an ‘Open Doors’ event and we look forward to an even more successful event next year.”

The ‘Open Doors Weekend’ is an initiative started to help encourage young people into engineering and construction careers by showing them the work that goes on behind closed doors at some of the UK’s biggest construction projects. As well as Crossrail, youngsters were able to visit over 100 sites across the country including Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Forth Bridge Crossing.  

For more information on the Open Doors Weekend, please visit www.opendoorsweekend.co.uk

+