NexGen’s primary program is helping forge the next generation of construction pioneers.
By Lauren Fahey, executive director at NexGen.
In Term 4 2024, NexGen delivered its brand‑new primary program, showcasing construction careers to more than 200 eager Kindergarten and Year 1 students, aged five to seven years old. The result? Pure magic. These tiny but curious minds were captivated, and we left the classrooms knowing we’d made a difference – not just for today, but for their futures.
When you’re five, your imagination has no limits. You believe you can be an astronaut, a pilot or a superhero. But often, our societal norms sneak in early. A man in a suit? He’s the boss. Someone in hi-vis? Just another worker. A woman in any role? Unseen. At NexGen, we’re here to smash those outdated ideas.
This program was designed to meet kids where they’re at – full of wonder and potential. By showing them that leadership, creativity and innovation can wear hi-vis or come from anyone, regardless of gender, we’re helping them see the world differently. And honestly, we do what we do because of the smiles on their faces as they discover that they, too, could build skyscrapers or design bridges.
To spark their imaginations, we shared stories from two incredible Australian books: This Girl Built That and I Want to Be an Engineer. The kids were gripped. Through these stories, we opened their eyes to endless possibilities, showing how problem-solving and creativity can come together to create something amazing.
But it didn’t stop there. We gave their teachers curriculum-mapped lesson plans to keep the momentum going, so the learning continued long after we left. We also gifted the school two construction-themed books for their library. It’s our way of ensuring these young dreamers have resources to keep exploring and believing in their potential.
We all know the construction industry is facing a massive skills gap. But here’s the thing: this gap isn’t just about numbers. It’s about missed opportunities for innovation and progress. By introducing these young minds to the possibilities in construction early, we’re setting the stage for a brighter, more inclusive future.
Imagine a generation of kids who grow up seeing that building a bridge can be as artistic as painting a masterpiece and that designing a city’s infrastructure is just as inventive as creating the next big app. These kids will become the leaders and problem-solvers who shape our future communities, and it begins with moments like these.
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The success of this program isn’t just in the numbers (though we’re thrilled to have reached over 200 students); it’s in the way these children started to see construction not as a job but as a platform for creativity and leadership. We’re breaking down barriers, one classroom at a time.
As these kids grow, we hope they carry with them the belief that anyone can lead, anyone can build and anyone can create. Whether it’s a little girl imagining herself as a site manager or a young boy dreaming of designing sustainable cities, these shifts in mindset are what will change the world.
If your company wants to be part of this journey, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can keep building something extraordinary. Reach out to us at hello@nex-gen.au
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