A graduate from Nort
hampton is one of the many apprentises to have benefitted from the Construction Futures scheme recently.
Mavis Quainoo spent a month working at Taylor Wimpey’s Buttercup Meadow development in Duston, Northamptonshire, after graduating with a Bsc degree in civil engineering from the University of Northampton in 2011. Her work placement was part of the Construction Futures scheme, which directly links construction training with the determination of planning applications.
Through Construction Futures, a condition of Buttercup Meadow’s planning approval was that Taylor Wimpey should provide work placements for local construction students – an innovative scheme which the homebuilder has been more than happy to sign up to.
Mavis (34), who studied her university-accredited course at Moulton College, feels her experiences on site at Buttercup Meadow have given her a competitive edge over others who are seeking employment in the industry.
“It was an incredibly useful experience as I gained a real insight into the day-to-day workings of a house building site,” says Mavis, who lives in Duston. “I was trusted with many different tasks. For example, I checked that the foundations of a house had been put in correctly, and had to make sure the drains and the water systems were in the right place. Having this hands-on role has given me confidence in my own ability and will definitely help me stand out from the rest when I am applying for my first job in civil engineering.”
The Site Manager at Buttercup Meadow, Martin Lee, was equally impressed with Mavis’s skills and her professional attitude during her time at the development of three, four and five-bedroom homes, which is located in South Meadow Road, Duston.
Martin says: “We are used to providing training at Taylor Wimpey and it was clear that Mavis wanted to learn as much as she possibly could, this placement meant she was able to get a real feel for the numerous tasks and processes on site. From shadowing my team, to working with surveyors, she showed a real aptitude for the industry.
“The Construction Futures scheme is a really good idea, as the student picks up valuable experience and Northampton homebuilders benefit as it helps to raise the standards of skills of people trying to break into the industry. Having local people such as Mavis working with us can only be good for the local economy too, as hopefully they will end up employed in the area, rather than having to move away for work.”
Construction Futures is expanding quickly and is attracting interest from the construction industry nationwide. It is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered in partnership with Moulton College and Tresham College, Northamptonshire.
Peter Caffry, Construction Futures Manager, says: “In the current economic climate, many students are finding it hard to enter the world of work. Construction Futures uses the planning system to ensure local training opportunities are available for young people. It gives them vital work experience and a head start in their future career”
(0) Comments