PUPILS from Manor College of Technology in Hartlepool have won the Eco Wonder Challenge 2011, which encourages young people to consider a career in construction and engineering.

The competition, run by Aim Higher Tees Valley and CITB-Construction Skills, and supported by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North East, saw 14 and 15-year-old students set up their own mini construction companies and deliver presentations outlining their proposed projects to an expert judging panel.

Manor College of Technology, was due to be rebuilt as part of the Building Schools for the Future Programme, but the project was cancelled because of Government cuts.

The pupils, therefore, decided to prepare their own re-building and refurbishment proposals for the school, which impressed the judges with its practicality.

The school won £1,000 while individual and group trophies were also presented.

Stephen Larkin, director of ICE North East, said: “The Eco Wonder Challenge has been created to give young people hands-on experience of the industry before they decide what career to follow.

“ICE aims to reach students who are unaware of the exciting opportunities available to them in construction and engineering, and Eco Wonder is a great way of doing this, looking at every stage of a construction project.

“The students from Manor College of Technology presented proposals for their school which mixed refurbishment and re-building and was extremely practical and achievable in the austere climate.”

The competition, now in its seventh year, was carried out over six months, involving 11 schools, with mentors from the industry.