Children's camps to attract young people to the construction industry

Luleå During two weeks in June, Norrbottens Byggmästareförening (Norrbottens builders association), in collaboration with Byggföretagen (trade organization for construction companies) and Teknikens hus (House of technology for children), is organizing a summer camp for children to awaken their interest in construction and technology by building huts.

Children born in 2012-2014 are offered a week to learn how to build in wood, handle different tools and build their own huts, from drawing to demonstration.

"Last summer was the first year we organized Byggkollo, and it was a great success with committed participants and a wonderful community," says Erik Ranängen, chief official at Norrbottens Byggmästareförening.

Byggkollo is an activity that began in Karlstad two years ago and has since spread across the country. Last year, Byggkollo was organized in Luleå, Eskilstuna and Linköping. This year there are also events in Falun, Gävle, Hallsberg, Nässjö, Vaggeryd and Västerås.

"It feels fantastic to offer a construction camp for children for the second year in a row. We want, in a playful and fun way, to increase the interest in technology, science and mathematics among children and young people and Byggkollo contributes greatly to this. The children will be very well looked after by our dedicated educators and holiday workers. We will build a lot and have a lot of fun together," says Josefin Wäppling Bernárdzon, business developer at Teknikens Hus.

Childrens camps are a way for the construction industry to tackle the industry's major problem: the lack of skills and the low interest in technology among young people.

Lennart Håkansson

editor@northswedenbusiness.com