17 September 2025

Classroom to construction – a teenager's journey

Organised by:

SCI's Construction Materials Group

SCI, London and Webinar

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Prices start from £0

Synopsis

This meeting aims to bring together a range of perspectives from key stakeholders involved in secondary education, recruiters and the construction industry. The goal is to foster dialogue and explore effective strategies for encouraging young people to pursue careers in construction.

Whilst there are many STEM programs and initiatives available that are on offer to young people, only a few shows direct pathways into the construction sector. Participation from schools and construction companies varies significantly. Can we shape the school curriculum, address workforce gaps and promoting diversity?

This raises two important questions:

How can secondary schools better align with the needs of the construction industry? And in turn, how can the construction industry actively support schools in achieving this alignment?

Overall, can our secondary schools and construction industry come together to forge partnerships towards a skills pipeline, ultimately to give our young people the best opportunities from learning to working? A vision is needed to aid young people to develop fulfilled careers and contribute to the well-being of our society and their own futures.


Attendees

This event will be of interest to teachers, academics, scientists, engineers, construction industry employees, apprentices and recent graduates in construction-related fields for real-world insight, curriculum developers, examination boards, STEM ambassadors, architects, recruiters and policy makers.


Speaker

Jasbir Singh Lota

Dr Lota joined the Society of Chemical Industry in 1987 and has since been a member of the Construction Materials Group. He has held various offices in the Construction Materials Committee: he first became Group Secretary, Vice-Chairman, then progressed to Chairman and has served as Education Liaison Officer. He has organised visits to construction materials plants and historical buildings, the latter with an emphasis on the construction materials and techniques used.

Dr Lota received the Society of Chemical Industry, Distinguished Service Award by the Construction Materials Group in 2010, in gratitude for his work on behalf of the Group and his activities as liaison with the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining and the Royal Society of Chemistry. This was for recognition working with graduates and PhD students. As well as being the instigator of ordinary meetings, he has been an organiser of the series of Young Researchers' Forums and ultimately leading to the establishment of the Group's Joseph Bazalgette Award.

After graduating from the Polytechnic of North London in 1987 with BSc Honours in Applied Chemistry with an industrial year at The Building Research Establishment in Silicate Division. He completed his Materials Science doctorate in 1993 at Imperial College London in the Faculty of Engineering. There he worked on low-temperature oil well cement hydration chemistry, which involved innovative research work at the BP Research Centre. Afterwards, he went on to conduct post-doctoral research and supervision of PhD students at Dundee University then at the University of Keele.

Dr Lota has taught science at secondary school level after gaining his PGCE 2001 at the Institute of Education, University of London, to become a Secondary school teacher of Chemistry and Physics. He taught science, Chemistry and Physics from Years 7 to 13, KS3, GCSE and A’ Level at selective, grammar and state schools. He has been Head of Chemistry, where he organised and planned the chemistry curriculum and line managed technicians so that Chemistry was delivered to KS3, KS4 and KS5 successfully and effectively. He has successfully supervised and mentored several PGCE and trainee teachers so that they fulfil their course requirements and become valued members of the teaching profession. He is an enthusiastic teacher, whose innovative teaching style and scientific experiences are encouraging students to take an interest in science and engineering.

In appreciation of his STEM activities, above and beyond, his normal teaching load, the then headmaster and governors appointed him as ‘Head of STEM’ the first post of its kind in the UK. He has worked with the Engineering Development Trust for more than 15 years on their programmes to encourage young people to see the value in perusing careers in STEM related careers.

Dr Lota was nominated, by the Directors of STEMPOINT & STEMNET, to attend STEMNET Awards November 2014, House of Lords, and was one of three finalists from whole of UK for the “Most Dedicated Teacher Award in UK”. STEMNET were impressed by his “dedication and hard work and his outstanding contribution in inspiring young people in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics”. This award recognised those teachers who proactively engaged with the STEM Ambassadors & STEM Clubs. In 2016, the Royal Society of Chemistry chose him to represent one of the faces of the 175th Anniversary.

Presently, Dr Lota has partially retired and is engaged with enhancing STEM education at Primary School level.


Programme

Wednesday 17 September 2025

15:00
Construction Materials Committee Meeting
16:00
Lecture start followed by reception

Accessibility Grants

SCI accessibility grants are available to support SCI members with disabilities, long term health conditions, those who require a carer, and members who are nursing parents to attend SCI events. Download an application form to apply for a grant.


Venue and Contact

SCI

14/15 Belgrave Square
London
SW1X 8PS

Email: committeesupport@soci.org


Booking Process/Deadlines

Booking terms and conditions