Students Take Lessons On-Site

07 January 2011

A regeneration project in Rochdale is providing The Oldham College students with real life experience of all aspects of house building thanks to a partnership between The Regenda Group, CSC Construction and Oldham College...

The building project, which is being funded by The Regenda Group and a grant from the Homes and Communities Agency, is a ten bungalow development in Athol Street, Hamer. Work started on the site in September 2010 and should conclude in July 2011.

CSC Construction was appointed as the main contractor and decided to use the development as an opportunity to work with students at Oldham College who are currently studying for an Advanced Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment. The course covers a range of topics including site management, design and planning, sustainability, health and safety and surveying in construction.

“We are delighted to support our clients in embracing local incentives and development schemes. We have long established links with Oldham College and regularly support and assist the training students in construction related courses. We believe that the time supported /offered is invaluable in improving the standards of the trade people of the future and hopefully ensures the continuity of our industry,” commented Jon Cousins, Director at CSC Construction.

Course Leader, Keith Martin explained, “We have built a relationship with CSC Construction as it is important for students to see in practice what they are learning about in the classroom. We can show the students video footage of the piling of foundations or demonstrate it using a presentation, for example, but it isn’t the same as actually seeing someone do it in a real development where they can watch the process and ask questions.”

Keith continued, “The experience that the students are receiving is invaluable, whether they choose to join the industry after finishing the course or after gaining further qualifications.”

There will be 12 visits by the 22 students on the course, allowing them to see the development progress from the start to the first, second and final fixes. During the build students will have the opportunity to observe a range of construction skills including surveying, bricklaying, plastering, joinery and painting and decorating.

Nick Stevenson, Development Officer at Regenda added, “This is a development which is of benefit to the whole community. Not only is it revitalising an area which was previously blighted, it is also providing much needed, good quality housing in a popular residential area. In addition, because of the relationship between CSC Construction and Oldham College, this scheme has provided a perfect opportunity for students to learn about the construction industry at first hand.”