Students from North Lindsey College are joining construction company Robert Woodhead to gain some valuable work experience as part of a development on site at the College.
Robert Woodhead is working on a project for North Lindsey College to develop a university grade bio-science laboratory as part of a £300k improvement project of the existing STEM building.
This is also the first project in North Lincolnshire to have been secured through the empa ii minor works construction framework. The aim of empa, which was formed by local authorities in the East Midlands, is to improve the procurement and delivery of construction projects and property maintenance for public sector bodies saving time and money for them, and in turn for council taxpayers.
Head of empa, Alan Coole said: “Empa is delivering more and more construction schemes within the further and higher education sector and this is the first to be delivered within North Lincolnshire on behalf of North Lindsey College. This £300k initiative has increased capacity at the college through the construction of a new extension and refurbishment. This project will not only improve the facilities for students who will benefit from the refurbished bio-science laboratory, but is offering valuable experience for young people looking for a career in the construction industry too.”
The existing building, which is used by the College’s higher education and further education students, along with the upgraded facilities will provide a university and industry standard grade bio-science laboratory. Two existing laboratories s have already been refurbished, one as a classroom space and the other as a bio-science laboratory and an extension is currently being built to house a physiology testing suite with a link, housing a clean room and shower that will be used as part of the bio science facilities.
The team from Woodhead has welcomed in three students from the College, two of which are learning bricklaying and one who is shadowing Woodhead’s site manager Pat Richmond to learn how to manage an active construction site.
In addition members from the Woodhead team are also visiting students from the College to share knowledge on the construction industry and talk about individual projects including the recent restoration of Lincoln Castle.
Katie Stammers is Project Coordinator for Robert Woodhead, she said: “Being able to support students who are directly benefitting from the work that we are undertaking is great. The work experience opportunities that we have been able to provide means that students are able to gain first hand site experience right on their doorstep.
“Supporting this with additional talks on our experiences within the construction industry either as a project manager, quantity surveyor or a site manager will hopefully further inspire the students to explore the opportunities open to them in construction.”
Stuart Barnard, Curriculum Leader for Construction at North Lindsey College commented, “Fantastic opportunity for the construction students to gain some invaluable experience and employability skills with Woodhead. The students have experienced all aspects of construction within their vocational areas and have had the full support from trades people on site and Pat the site manager.”