Plans,PPEandcareerpossibilitiesatMountAlvernia
News
Building the next generation of construction professionals starts with showing young people what a career in construction can look like.
As part of Hutchies' Pathways to Construction program, students from Mount Alvernia College recently stepped beyond the classroom and behind the site fence to gain a firsthand look at the many career opportunities available across the construction industry.
On 24 August 2026, students visited the new library project currently being delivered at their school by Hutchies' team led by Michael White. The experience was designed to provide meaningful industry exposure, while helping students better understand the wide range of roles involved in bringing a project from concept to completion.
Choosing where to start
To ensure the session was relevant and engaging, students were given the opportunity to choose which construction discipline they wanted to learn about first.
The options included:
- Project Management & Construction Management
- Contract Administration
- Quantity Surveying & Cost Planning
- Health, Safety & Wellbeing
- Architecture & Design Management
- Trades & Apprenticeships
The overwhelming favourite was Architecture & Design Management, highlighting students' curiosity about the creative and technical processes behind building design.
Reading the plans and seeing the progress
The morning began with introductions from Contract Administrator James Dickson before Hutchies HSE Manager Lance Abbott delivered a site-specific safety briefing and issued personal protective equipment.
Armed with site plans and safety gear, students toured the active construction site, learning about the unique features of the new library and how the project team works together to deliver the build.
The tour gave students the opportunity to see construction progress up close, understand the complexity of a live project and visualise what the finished facility will look like when complete.
Design careers brought to life
As the project's architect and a long-term partner of Mount Alvernia College, Joseph spoke about the role of an architect, how design decisions shape buildings and the career pathway that led him into the profession.
Hutchies Design Manager Harry Allen also shared his experience, providing insight into design management, the responsibilities of the role and what inspired him to build a career in the construction industry.
The students were highly engaged throughout the session, asking thoughtful questions about design, project delivery and career pathways.
For many, it was their first opportunity to hear directly from professionals working in the field and gain a practical understanding of how different disciplines work together to bring a project to life.
New possibilities take shape
The visit forms part of Hutchies' ongoing commitment to creating meaningful connections between schools and industry.
Feedback from Mount Alvernia College has been overwhelmingly positive, with students valuing the opportunity to hear directly from people working on live projects and gain genuine insight into construction careers.
Importantly, the experience encouraged several students to consider a future in construction, helping demonstrate that the industry offers opportunities for people with a wide range of interests and strengths.
More to build on
The partnership with Mount Alvernia College is set to continue in Term 4, when students will return to see how the project has progressed and learn more about the next discipline they voted for.
A close second in the student vote was Project Management & Construction Management, which will form the focus of the next round of engagement. A further session is planned for Term 1 next year, giving students another opportunity to visit the site before the project is complete.
By connecting students with real projects and industry professionals, Hutchies is helping young people discover the many pathways available in construction while supporting the future of the industry.
