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Pupils learning on Extra Care site


Pupils at Furness College in Barrow-in-Furness have been laying the foundations to a career in construction, by teaming up with Salford-based housing specialists Bramall Construction.

The community regeneration specialist, which forms part of the Keepmoat group, is helping 20 pupils complete their two year diploma in construction.

The Construction and Built Environment diploma is a stand alone qualification which gives pupils an important insight into different methods of construction including design methods.

As part of the diploma, Bramall's Site Manager Ian Reynolds has been allowing the 14-year-old pupils to shadow him as he works on site at Holker Street in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, on behalf of Accent Housing Association.

Bramall Construction is currently constructing a 41-bed extra care scheme for older people at Holker Street on behalf of Accent Housing Association as part of a £5m scheme.

The care home will open in June next year and there are plans to invite three schools from the region to name it as part of a competition.

Ian has been giving pupils a series of two hour lessons about construction and his chosen career path, as well as a valuable insight into site trades and management structures.

Bramall Construction will mentor pupils until next summer by giving them an overview of the day to day running of construction sites as well as offering work experience placements.

The youngsters will receive talks from scaffolders and bricklayers about their roles and responsibilities and Ian intends to host a presentation about his career progression over the years.

Ian said: "The pupils are gaining fantastic experience shadowing myself and the team on site and I'm delighted to be in a position to help them in this way. "The extra care scheme we're working on is giving the young people a fantastic insight into the world of construction as the project is an excellent example for them to analyse and encompasses a broad range of skills.

"I think they've gained a lot from their experience and I'm also planning to give a presentation to over 50 apprentices and diploma students at the college about how I started out in my career and about becoming a member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health and the Chartered Institute of Building."

Graham Dale, a lecturer at Furness College, said: "We're delighted to be working with Bramall Construction who have given our pupils a unique opportunity to apply their learning on site, as part of their training.

"Having scaffolders and other craft professionals on hand to speak to the pupils about the theory of construction has also been a key part of their learning process and has really brought their diploma to life."