Our South East project teams have made a fantastic start to then year, engaging with local students and helping to inspire future engineers.
Liz Faulkner, VolkerStevin Customer Experience Coordinator in the South East, attended the East Sussex College Careers Fair, where she met with students studying both A-Levels and T-Level courses. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with young people who are just beginning to explore their future career paths.
Throughout the event, Liz spoke with students about the wide range of opportunities available within the construction industry, sharing insights into our ongoing projects, the skills needed to succeed in construction and the vital role these careers play in shaping communities. Many students showed a keen interest in learning more about the projects we are undertaking in the South East and it was inspiring to see their enthusiasm and curiosity.
Our projects in the South East have also been providing valuable opportunities for T-Level construction students, welcoming them to site to undertake work placements. Joe Carey, Ben Lamprell, and Shayne Silverton are currently undertaking work placements at our Leigh Expansion and Hildenborough Embankment Scheme.
These students have been shadowing our team members, gaining hands-on experience and learning more about the vital work we do. Unlike shorter placements, T-Level students attend for an extended period of time, allowing them to develop a deeper understanding of real-world construction projects. Already their contributions are starting to make an impact, bringing new ideas and perspectives to the project.
The Leigh and Hildenborough team also welcomed Loren Seal to site, for their ‘Spend a Day with an Engineer’ initiative, which allows students to gain first hand insight into the profession.
We have also welcomed work placement students, Lewis Baxter and Phoebe Mannering on our Teston Sluice Gates programme, Ian Cole on our Pevensey Star Inn Gates project and Jacob Veness spent a week with our team at Rother Tidal Walls – East earlier last month.
Jacob Veness is currently studying finance and accounting at Hastings College; he joined our Rother Tidal Walls – East team for a weeklong placement where he shadowed one of our Quantity Surveyors. His placement focused on understanding what a Quantity Surveyor does, how contracts work and the financial aspects of managing a construction project.
Reflecting on his experience, Jacob shared: "During the week, I learnt a lot about how construction works and what I will need to learn if I want to make this my career. I have improved my Excel skills and learnt many more skills in the process. It has changed the career path I want to go into, this week has opened my eyes to new opportunities.
“From this placement, I now want to go into a Quantity Surveyor apprenticeship next year. While I was working on the project, I felt very included in everything and was even invited to charity events after my placement had finished.”
It’s inspiring to see such enthusiasm and fresh perspectives from the students we engage with, their passion for engineering and construction is evident and we are excited to play a role in their journeys’.
We look forward to welcoming even more students in the future and continuing to support the next generation of engineers!
