The East Midlands regional committee, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, has launched the BE INSPIRED challenge - in the style of Dragons’ Den meets The Apprentice.

The BE INSPIRED challenge invites students at Nottingham Business School and the School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment to join forces to produce a three minute video and social media campaign to engage and inform young people that the construction industry professions offer attractive career paths.

Participating students will work with a range of professional sponsors; get a chance to network with top employers; hone their team working skills; have opportunities for summer internships; have lots of fun and perhaps even win a cash prize.

Speaking at the launch, Maria Willis, chair of CIC East Midlands regional committee said: “Today, fewer young people are choosing the built environment professions such as architecture, surveying, engineering, project management and planning, and the skills gap in the industry is widening. The construction industry is unique in offering a plethora of diverse and exciting professional career opportunities. I’m really looking forward to seeing the winning campaign – after all, this is young people talking to their peers and there can be no more authentic voice than that!”

The campaign starts on 29 October with a speed dating event for NBS and SADBE students to form teams. Then, on 19 November, teams will present storyboards to the judging panel, with shortlisted teams presenting their three minute video and social media strategy on 28 January. The winning team will be announced on 3 March 2016.

The challenge is sponsored by Laing O’Rourke, Gleeds, Mace, Confetti Media Group, Cartwright Communications and Rizk McCay Design Marketing.