The annual Construction Industry Week held at the College was packed with insightful sessions, hands-on workshops, and inspirational talks from industry professionals, all aimed at equipping students with the knowledge and skills to aid their future careers and lives.
The week began with a visit from Leeds Trinity University representatives, who held an interactive session discussing the ‘Construction and Built Environment’ course. Students participated in a Kahoot game, where they acted as part of a project team advising a client on building a resort in England. This exercise allowed them to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios. The rest of the session covered the Business school and gave students insights about progression into degree courses.
Students additionally had the pleasure of meeting Byron Highton, the founder of JJ Effect, during the week. Known for his powerful anti-knife crime talks, Byron shared his emotional journey and the impactful work he does in memory of his brother, Jon-Jo Highton. His session, which included real-life scenarios and messages from affected individuals, left a lasting impression on the students.
Additionally, Chris Reavley, an ex-prison officer and founder of “Bee Safe”, delivered an engaging workshop on actions and consequences. His workshop captivated the students and staff with discussions of real situations/cases/stories.
Tyler Himsworth, a Construction student support worker, states: “Chris uses his own life experiences brilliantly. He captivated our learners for the entire session.”
An important session on drug awareness was delivered by Barnsley Recovery steps, focusing on the different categories of drugs and their effects. The session utilised the drugs wheel to explain why people use drugs and the patterns of use, with a particular emphasis on THC vaping and ketamine.
Another notable session included a road safety video presentation by Craig Huxley from the South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. The presentation, which also featured representatives from KIER transportation and the fire service, showed a serious collision resulting in a fatality and injuries. It included impactful interviews with the passengers and the driver involved, underscoring the importance of road safety.

Students in road safety talk with Craig Huxley.
Level 2 Plumbing and Heating T Level student, Cody Woodcock said: “At first, I thought the road safety talk was going to be boring, but after I watched the video, I found it quite interesting and beneficial.”
The week provided students with a comprehensive view of the construction field, conflict management, drug awareness, road safety and more. The diverse range of sessions ensured that students were not only educated but also inspired to pursue their careers and way of life, with a deeper understanding of responsibilities and industry challenges.
For more information about our Construction courses available to study, visit www.barnsley.ac.uk/construction, email info@barnsley.ac.uk or call 01226 216 123.
Last updated: 30th January 2025
Originally posted on: 30th January 2025