Two Construction & the Built Environment students from Solihull College & University Centre have already secured the next step on their career pathway after impressing placement bosses during their T-Level qualification.
T-Levels feature a 45-day industry placement built into the course offering a great opportunity for students to learn in the workplace and build relationships with industry contacts.
Scott Willmott and Jacob Miles who are studying the Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction (Civil Engineering) T-Level were selected following an interview process. All the course students were interviewed for a placement by Will Duffy & Elena Martin-Lopez from the engineering department of Woods Hardwick, a multidisciplinary consultancy specialising in the built environment.
Scott said he always knew he wanted to get into construction after a family member worked on the Eurostar project. He opted for a T-Level as he knew the work placement would prove invaluable. He comments: “Being in a workplace has taught me so much and added such value to my CV. Future employers want to see I have industry experience, and this is the perfect way to blend classroom learning with on-the-job learning.”
Jacob says being able to learn in a workplace environment has really helped him, adding: “The office environment is great. We get to learn how a civil engineering company operates on a day-to-day basis, and it’s been an invaluable experience.”
The pair have now been offered paid work in their spare time and are on route to progressing to a higher level apprenticeship through the College and Woods Hardwick later this year.
Woods Hardwick Director, Matt Ford, believes the relationship is a positive part of the company’s progression. He comments: “To see how Jacob and Scott have grown in confidence during their time with us is rewarding and is such a positive for them. They are always listening and asking the right questions and are being given more and more tasks as they learn and improve. The T-Level appears to be a great pathway to a career in civil engineering.”
