East Riding College has partnered together with the contractors behind East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s £22million Beverley Integrated Transport Plan to provide a unique, free construction training experience to a small group of individuals.
Opportunities with local colleges and training providers, such as placements and visits, are a standard requirement of any tender within the council’s framework and Birse Civils, a Balfour Beatty company, has given the College exclusive access to the construction site to enable learners to get new skills and experience on a major live project.
Interest in places is anticipated to be high because the course will give successful students the qualifications required to work in the industry and a guaranteed exit interview and references.
It’s targeted at people who are interested in this growth industry, whether or not they are young people or adults, including those people who are unemployed or facing redundancy.
Ian Frear, head of construction at the College, said: “This is indeed a unique chance for learners to gain qualifications recognised through the construction industry on-site inside a major ongoing civil engineering project.
“The occupations of civil engineering and general construction operatives are two of the projected growth areas within the industry over the next five years and this is a chance for learners to get a foothold within this busy, exciting sector.”
Learners from the College have already benefited from a visit to the construction site.
Joinery student Kim Hornshaw, 23, from Beverley, said: “Being in the construction trade is all about hands-on learning and watching projects grow and develop before your eyes.
“This course is a superb opportunity to be a part of something that will both benefit Beverley and help learners to build up valuable, practical skills for the future. Young people will get a feel of the construction industry without having to be limited to the classroom.
Brickwork student Rob Middleton, 17, also from Beverley, said: “The visit was intriguing and informative. I was interested in the processes applied to a large civil engineering site and compared this to other site experiences I have had.
“It has shown me a different part of the construction industry as I work towards completing my course and hopefully gaining employment.”
Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of council, said: “This is a great initiative between East Riding College and Birse Civils and definately will allow a number of local young people to develop skills and practical experience in the construction industry, which was one of the council’s key objectives when tendering for the scheme.”
Martin Black, project manager for Birse Civils, said; “I am happy to have worked with East Riding College to implement an educational skills plan on our project in Beverley. We look forward to welcoming students on site where we can provide those interested in a construction career with real on-site experience and skills presentations.”
Starting in February, the course will be available to 15 16 to 18-year-old learners and 25 aged 19 well as over who’re successful in their application. It is free to 16 to 18-year-olds and to adults who are unemployed and who fit a range of other criteria.
They will gain the Level Two Diploma in General Construction Operations, enhance their essential skills in maths and English and work towards the Construction Skills Card Scheme, the industry standard for on-site workers.
Additional benefits of the link-up with Birse Civils include regular toolbox talks, contractor interviews and bespoke training, instruction and assessment.
Applications for the course must be submitted by February 10. For more information as well as to request an application form, call 0845 120 0037 or visit www.eastridingcollege.ac.uk/bitp
