Member Article

Housebuilder continues investment of construction with university visit

Building Surveying and Construction Project Management students from Sheffield Hallam University visited Barratt Homes’ Evolution development in Rotherham last week to gain valuable on the job experience outside of the classroom. The students, who are all on a conversion course, meaning they have limited or no experience in the construction industry, were able to enhance their learning through seeing construction processes in practice.

33 students, who are all on a Building Surveying or a Construction Project Management course, visited the site to see how their learnings could be put into practice, allowing them to understand the real life applications of their education. Students were given an overview of the site and shown the different elements and stages of construction, from the foundations right through to homes nearing completion. The site team at Evolution also explained the broader issues of progressing a new development, such as the considerations and constraints that include infrastructure, site set up, weather conditions and working with contractors.

Barratt Homes has increasingly invested in training and education of young people in construction through university partnerships like this and its apprenticeship, graduate and sponsored degree programmes.

Darren Johnson, Construction Director at Barratt Homes Yorkshire West, commented: “We are proud of our strong relationships with local universities and colleges, and are dedicated to continuing students’ on site learning. Being able to provide local students and apprentices with the opportunity to visit a live development and gain some on site experience is great and continues to prove invaluable to them and the industry.”

Marie May, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader FDSc and BSc Residential Development and Construction at Sheffield Hallam University, commented: “Site visits such as this are so valuable to our industry, especially where students have little or no experience within construction, as they allow students to gain hands on experience to help them understand the career opportunities housebuilding can provide. It is important that skilled construction professionals support us in educating the workers of the future in encouraging building of top quality homes, while allowing the students to develop both their skills and underpinning job knowledge.

“This is why companies like Barratt Homes are such a credible asset to the continued success of our courses at Sheffield Hallam University. These trips are real eye openers for the students, and they really enjoy having the unique opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge they are only just learning into a practical working context.”

Daniel Pegg, MSc Building Surveying student at Sheffield Hallam University, commented: “The live site visit provided invaluable context in support of the theoretical and conceptual learning done at Sheffield Hallam University. We are very grateful to have been afforded this unique and interesting opportunity.”

Lauren Waddington, MSc Building Surveying student, added: “‘There’s no better way to understand theory taught in a class room than seeing it first-hand on a site visit. It was interesting to view each stage of construction, from digging the foundations to the final interior touches, something you can never truly grasp whilst sat in the classroom.”

Evolution is a fantastic development of stylish two bedroom apartments located just seven minutes from junction 33 off the M1. Set in the heart of the Sheffield City Region, Waverly is vibrant new community in a lakeside setting, perfect for those who need great commuting links and many amenities on their doorsteps. Homes are available from £142,995.

For more information on career options available at Barratt Homes, please visit http://www.barrattfuturetalent.co.uk/

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Savage .