Stourbridge College construction students get footing in work experience

Plastering student, Jamie Stokes, and carpentry & joinery student, Ashley Dunford, both based at Stourbridge College's Centre of Excellence for Construction & Building Services in Brierley Hill, were offered the chance to work on a building project in Dudley town centre with Speller Metcalfe, one of the UK's leading construction companies.

The building project, which is part of a wider regeneration scheme in Dudley, involved the refurbishment of the old Co-op building in the High Street to provide shop premises for retailer, United Footwear. Students worked on a variety of tasks including external repair and reinstatement, render renewal, window replacement and overhauling the shop front.

Tina Dalzell, Stourbridge College's Black Country Skills Shop manager, said: "Ashley and Jamie spent a week each on site, using the skills they have learned on their Level 1 and 2 courses at the Advanced Technology Centre in Brierley Hill. It's our aim through the Skills Shop to ensure that young people – whether they're studying at the college or not – get valuable work experience in real working environments to equip them with the skills that employers are looking for."

Bill Cave, small works director at Speller Metcalfe, said: "It's a great opportunity for students to observe and get involved in restoration work, and we hope to show them what opportunities are available in the construction industry. There is a shortage of workers for restoration projects and it's our aim to continue to work with local colleges to ensure that students are equipped with relevant skills for this industry."

Jamie, aged 18 from Cradley Heath, said: "It was a great opportunity to work on this building project. Any work experience is great to include on my CV."

Ashley, 18 from Wollescote, added: "Working on the restoration of this building, even just for a week, gave me a proper feel for what to expect when I start to work in the industry."