Local students get a taste for construction at Alconbury Weald
- 18.12.2015
As part of the National Skills Academy for Construction for the Alconbury Weald development, two Huntingdonshire Regional College (HRC) students had the chance to undertake work experience with RG Carter, who constructed the site’s Club building.
The NVQ Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery students worked on site one day a week alongside the build team, putting their classroom knowledge into practice. Scott Burke and Keelan Diblasi, both 18, also worked with carpentry subcontractor, DWB Contractors for four weeks. As part of the placement, RG Carter covered the costs for the students Health & Safety test at the HRC Training Centre at Alconbury Weald. Keith Furnell from RG Carters said: “We are committed to offering training and development opportunities to our employees and the wider community. We currently have 140 trainees sponsored on higher and further education courses and 46 craft apprentices. “Scott and Keelan were both very enthusiastic and, as they spent time working on a live construction site, the increase in their confidence was evident.” On successfully completing their work experience programme, RG Carter gave Scott and Keelan a tool kit to thank them for their hard work and dedication. Angie Scotcher, Scott and Keelan’s job coach from the HRC was shown around the site, was impressed by the Club building and appreciated the opportunities given to her students to pro-actively learn. RG Carter is planning to develop its relationship with HRC and offer other further work placements across a range of trades as it continues to work on the Alconbury Weald development. Rebecca Britton, Skills lead for Alconbury Weald’s owners and developers Urban&Civic said: “It has been great to see Carters support for the jobs and skills vision for the Alconbury Campus, and that the foundation of partnership working with local training providers is now starting to bring real benefits and opportunities to local people.” The Club building is due to open in the New Year and will provide a gym, café, meeting rooms and event space, for the Campus and the local area. It will also house the new Estate and Marketing Office for Urban&Civic.