Building bridges – construction students get site experience

Jack Fitton, Ian Stickler (Carillion Project Manager, Wardle High School project), Lewis Dalton, Robbie Thompson and Jake Ramsden with their model bridges

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Two groups of students, who are studying carpentry and joinery, have been learning all about what it is like to work on site as well as what goes on behind the scenes of construction projects.

As part of the work experience, the Hopwood Hall College students completed an induction to the work place and a site visit. During the visit they were given the opportunity to see the different roles and responsibilities of various members of the Carillion Construction site team, including; health and safety, planning, supervisors, sub-contractors, construction managers, architects, structural engineers and quantity surveyors.

The first group, under the guidance of Brendan Lunn, Carillion Site Manager at Holy Family School in Heywood, were then set a project to design and cost a model building made out of paper.

The second group, under the supervision of Ian Stickler, Carillion Project Manager for the Wardle High School development, spent a day with the architects and structural engineers department, and constructed model bridges out of spaghetti.

Both groups had to produce a construction programme for their model and present their designs to the site team for evaluation.

Ian Stickler explained: “Each of the group applied a different approach to the task set them and they came up with some really great ideas towards solving problems.

"There is a lot of planning that goes into a building project and from this task and the site visits, the students have had the opportunity to gain an insight into budgeting, the cost of materials, contractor rates and quantifying materials, whilst working to specific sizes and dimensions. They are now aware of on-going costs including plant machinery, cranes, supervision and cabins, as well as an idea of how to plan and programme the works.”

Hopwood Hall College student Mark Ravenna, 17, from Heywood, said: “I have really enjoyed my time at Carillion and have learnt a lot. It has been good to see how things come together by actually being on a real building site.”

Josh Mulleeney,  18, from Milnrow, added: “I have gained skills and feel more confident from doing this work experience. We were really made to feel part of the team.”

Fellow student, Lewis Dalton 18, from Rochdale, said: “It has been good to get an insight into actual construction. It’s a change from being in the workshop and I feel I have learnt a lot from the experience.”

Brendan Lunn said: “It is important that young people have the chance to get a more in-depth insight into the construction industry and gain an understanding of all the different disciplines and career paths.

"The students have been a pleasure to work with and get to know. They put 100% effort into what was asked from them. I would be happy to do it again and have found the experience rewarding.”

Opportunities like this give students the chance to gain valuable insights into the world of work and enhance their core skills that employers look for when recruiting new staff.

College student Aiden Suleman, 18, from Middleton, said: “This work experience has been good for us because it gives us an idea of what to expect when we start a new job.”

Ian Stickler concluded: “We recognise that work experience is vital to young people for them to develop and progress into their relevant careers and we are happy to support placements for Hopwood Hall College students.”