Capitalising on construction

10:29am Tuesday 30th September 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

A STUDENT from Greenwich has used his summer constructively by taking part in this year's Capital Xperience programme.

The programme, which involved 50 students from schools and colleges in the five Olympic boroughs, Greenwich, Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest, was designed by Newham Further Education College for students to gain valuable paid work experience within various professions in the construction industry.

The project, funded by the London Development Agency, managed by Newham College and supported by ConstructionSkills, University of East London and Construction Youth Trust, is designed to encourage students to consider careers in construction as well as provide them with useful employability skills.

Samson Adeyemi, a 17-year-old student at Shooters Hill Campus, was one of eight students from the borough of Greenwich who made it onto this year's fiercely competitive work experience programme.

More than 100 students applied and Samson was one of 40 who received a place on a four-week paid summer placement with a major national or international construction company.

Samson comments: "After being shortlisted from an initial 104 candidates, I was given the opportunity of two weeks preparatory sessions for the Capital Xperience Scheme. I learnt CV writing skills, interview skills and also listened to presentations from some of the top companies in the civil engineering industry.

"After these weeks, I sent my CV out to these companies and got called back for interviews with Taylor Woodrow, Bovis Lend Lease and Lakehouse Contracts Limited."

Samson continues: "In the end I got a placement with Lakehouse Contracts Limited, where I worked in various departments, including business development and accounts. During my time I helped put together a report on Corporate Social Responsibility and also got to design a brochure and leaflet informing residents of a new project.

"I also got to go out of the office and visit various Lakehouse sites, which gave me an insight into the job of a site manager and a construction manager."

Capital Xperience has been designed to provide successful candidates with a taste of the construction sector from a variety of seminars, information sessions and site visits. Those who, like Samson, progressed onto a four-week paid summer placement, were required to demonstrate a high level of responsibility, decision making and management skills.

Colin Barber, project management consultant for Capital Xperience says: "It is important young people are given the opportunity to experience both professional and technical roles in construction particularly if we want to excite them about the industry. It is also a good opportunity for them to see how the industry works in practice; with the Olympic build over the next four years, construction will have a big impact on their lives."

Samson adds: "As a result of the time I spent with Lakehouse, I have been invited to be one of the main speakers at Construction Legacy - London Fair on behalf of the company. Not only has it opened doors like this, but it has also given me an idea of the kind of career I would like to go into. The idea of a career in engineering had always appealed but spending time with Lakehouse's construction managers and being able to ask them about the role of a mechanical engineer has given me a really good idea of the profession for myself."

"Getting work experience is something I will definitely recommend to any young person. It gives you a clearer picture of your future."

Janette Welton-Pai, recruitment and careers manager for ConstructionSkills comments: "Since 2007 we have worked on the steering group which develops the Capital Xperience programme."

If you are a construction business and interested in offering work experience placements to Capital Xperience students, or a student hoping to take part in the 2009 programme, phone 0208 522 5722 or email capitalxperience@newham.ac.uk