Students at a Midland college have been gaining first-hand experience of life on a building site - thanks to specialist retirement developer McCarthy & Stone.
A group of construction students from Stratford-upon-Avon College were given the opportunity to visit McCarthy & Stone's new Retirement Living development, Butter Cross Court, which is currently being built in Stafford Street, Newport, Shropshire.
The students, who are on a two-year Level 1 Foundation course in building crafts occupation, visited the site to find out all about the construction process. They were shown around by McCarthy & Stone's regional construction manager Andy Herbert, who helped arrange the visit.
Mr Herbert said the group of 10 students, aged 15 and 16, and two lecturers were given an introduction to the site, followed by a health and safety induction from himself and senior site manager Mark Bullock.
He said: "The students were split into groups for a tour of the site during which they saw a wide range of trades at work, including carpenters, dryliners, electricians, plumbers, bricklayers and ceramic tilers.
"As well as explaining the work operations going on, we also had a question and answer session after the tour."
Mr Herbert, who is responsible for several McCarthy & Stone developments currently being built in the Midlands, added: "It is really important that young people interested in a career in construction get as much experience of the site workplace as possible and can see that there is a worthwhile end to study and improving their skills.
"It is essential for the long-term success of the construction industry. It is also very worthwhile to see what can be achieved in a very professional manner by site managers such as Mark who themselves started out as a tradesman."
Students from the college had previously visited McCarthy & Stone's Awdry Court development in Kings Norton, Birmingham, last year.
Alan McDermott, brickwork lecturer at Stratford-upon-Avon College, said: "They all found it very interesting to visit a site at various stages of building, and to see bricklayers, carpenters and plasterers at work.
"We give the students the opportunity to return to do a diploma in carpentry or bricklaying, which is why we have tied up with Andy. He also gives them a site induction which they have never had before."
Construction of Butter Cross Court, which consists of 53 one and two bedroom apartments, is due for completion in December.
The retirement apartments will benefit from the close proximity of Newport town centre's shops and amenities less than 50 yards away, and a house manager who will oversee the running of the building including maintenance of the grounds.
Key retirement features will include a communal residents' lounge, a guest suite, laundry room and a lift providing access to all floors.
See Also: Property News (6701), McCarthy & Stone (408), Butter Cross Court (5), Shropshire (31)
Date Published: 18 May 2011
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