Work experience opportunities bring construction to the classroom

Students on Business and Construction courses at New City College have been building skills on a number of work experience opportunities with some of the UK’s top companies.

Telford Homes were greatly impressed with three female students who were selected for a site visit during a Women Working in Construction Week. The three are studying at NCC’s new Construction & Engineering Centre in Rainham and said the visit brought to life the knowledge they have acquired in the classroom.

Following the successful site visit, Telford Homes, in conjunction with Pathway CTM, visited the Rainham campus last week to deliver some insightful sessions for students on the Level 3 Construction & the Built Environment course.

Students learned about the progression opportunities available to them when they leave college, such as the Degree Apprenticeship Management Trainee Scheme which allows them to work and earn money as well as study for a degree at the same time – entirely sponsored by Telford Homes.

Spread over five years, the degree apprenticeship leads to an outstanding career pathway with salaries reaching up to £36,000 in the final year, and a guaranteed a job, provided all targets have been met.

As well as hearing about the schemes available, the students put their teamwork skills into practice by constructing framework from spaghetti and marshmallows. They were then given a presentation about Telford Homes and the skills an employer looks for, finishing with a question and answer session.

In the same week, students on the BTEC Business Level 3 course at Havering Sixth Form campus took part in a virtual work experience week, arranged by residential development company Willmott Dixon.

Their brief was to create a construction business to meet the UK’s future needs. They had to plan, cost, budget and design the company, taking into account the brand, team roles, communications and sustainability.

Representatives from different departments of Willmott Dixon, such as legal, finance and HR presented virtually on screen to the students who could ask questions before sharing knowledge and working together to create their own business plan and company.

NCC’s Work Experience and Industry Placement Team Leader Linda Hammond said: “The Willmott Dixon sessions were very well received by students and staff. The branding, CV, employability skills and apprenticeship awareness that the students have been taught will stand them in good stead when they enter the next chapter of their lives after college.

“These are exceptional opportunities that our students are being offered and we look forward to a continued successful collaboration with our industry partners.”