South Devon College event helps construction students take first step into industry

Construction students from South Devon College seeking apprenticeships in the industry were given a unique opportunity recently.

As part of National Careers Week, the college held an employer and student networking event at the Clean Energy Centre. 

The college invited local employers from across the construction sector including plumbers, electricians and builders. The students were all given the opportunity to speak to each employer as part of the speed networking event.

The landmark occasion was the culmination of a pilot bespoke employability programme designed by the college.

“The Student Talent and Skills Matching Programme was designed to improve apprenticeship recruitment, retention, and outcomes across the construction sector,” explained Colette Dalton, apprenticeship lead and employability adviser. 

“It came about because employers were consistently telling us that core employability behaviours — such as communication, reliability, teamwork, and professionalism are the main reasons young people aren’t getting and keeping jobs.”

The intensive six-week employability programme bridges the gap between vocational study and the professional workplace for students aged 16 to 19, helping make them work ready. 

The programme covers attitudes, values, and habits as well as communication, teamwork, problem solving, customer service, conflict management, understanding business and approaching employers.

“Changes in technology, a lack of Saturday job opportunities, living in an ‘instant everything at your fingertips’ generation and community moving online have contributed to some young people needing to learn work skills and behaviours,” said Johanna Pettett, placement and work experience lead. 

Between sessions, students are challenged to apply the skills they have learnt in the classroom in the real world and then return to present their reflections to their peers. 

“Once the programme has finished, we continue to support the students with bespoke one-to-one coaching for CVs and mock interviews,” said Johanna. 

16-year-old construction student Isaac Armbruster said he really enjoyed the networking event.

Student Isaac Armbruster collecting his programme certificate from Head of Curriculum, Dean Bowden

He said: “I talked to everyone there and I found it really helpful because quite a few of them gave me tips on how to get better at interviews and find apprenticeships.”

Hannah Jenner, managing director at Venture Recruit UK, who works with young people supporting them into jobs with some of the construction employers attending the event, said she was really impressed with the students.

“They were very articulate, with great eye contact. The standard was better than a lot of the candidates we interview on a regular basis so I would say the programme has definitely been worthwhile.

“It’s a really good insight for us to see where they’ve come from, so that when they approach us looking for work, we’re better prepared and we’re actively working to find more placements for apprentices.”