work experience

Property and construction businesses build talent pipelines through inspiring workshops and placements

In Chesterfield, £2billion of regeneration is underway. Additionally, a report by CITB, highlights by 2026 that 3,500 construction workers per year will be needed in the East Midlands Region. So, the need to attract more skilled people to the sector remains a key priority.

Recognising the range of exciting opportunities available across the sector and the need to develop a local talent pipeline; property and construction businesses from across Chesterfield joined forces to deliver Careers Made in Chesterfield.

This summer, 11 students from three Chesterfield secondary schools got to go behind the scenes at local firms to gain first-hand experience of careers in the sector.

Organised as part of the new Made in Chesterfield scheme, the work experience was the final part of a year-long pilot. The pilot included a series of workshops to showcase the range of careers available in the industry. In total, 20 professionals from 11 local businesses helped to deliver the programme to 110 year 10 students.

How did the students get on in their end-of-scheme placements? We spoke to some of the businesses and schools involved in showcasing careers in property and construction to the next cohort of future talent.

House designers in the making 

Wayne Barrett, Technical Director for Harron Homes North Midlands, tells us about the range of departments students got to experience:

“Harron endeavours to support those looking to develop their skills in the construction industry, whether that’s on-site or in the office. It’s been fantastic to support Chesterfield schools and give them an insight into working life within an office environment. Students experienced a range of roles from finance to quantity surveying, architecture, civil engineering, sales, and legal.”

Harron Homes property and construction

Harron Homes office

Nigel Kingham, teacher at Whittington Green School, explains how students went above and beyond:

“I got to visit three of our students on work experience at Harron Homes. Each of the students had with them examples of some of the design work they had completed during their placement. Max had been taught to use some design software and he had used this to produce his own plans for a newly designed house. He had really enjoyed his placement and was really enthused about house design.”

“Corey had drawn his own designs and kept an extensive diary of his time at Harron. Again, he was really positive about his experience. He even said it had got him thinking about a future career in something like architecture.”

Cory_Sketch 873x466 property and construction

Artwork by Cory, student at Whittington Green School

Max, student at Whittington Green School, added:

“I had a great time, and everyone was helpful with what I was trying to do!”

Building careers in property and construction

Students from Whittington Green and Parkside School got to experience all aspects of a local construction business. Jack Kidder, Business Manager at Henry Boot PLC, explained:

Henry Boot 873x466 property and construction

Henry Boot tour for students

“We were delighted to welcome two students from Whittington Green and Parkside Schools to join the business for a week. They learnt all about the real estate sector with a focus on construction and social value. They took part in a range of activities including estimating and education engagement, met a range of colleagues from across the business, and visited our Kangaroo Works scheme in the centre of Sheffield.

“Supporting work experience placements is a great way for us to inform local learners about the wide range of careers available in our business and industry as well as learn more about the expectations and aspirations of learners and create excitement about our sector.”

Liam, student at Parkside Community School, commented:

“I really enjoyed the placement at Henry Boot. I hadn’t really heard of them before, I didn’t know how big the company was. It was really interesting learning about the business and the things they do. But the best bit was going visit to the site at Sheffield!”

CGI and Virtual Reality

Oasis Studio 873x466 property and construction

Oasis Studio and Parkside student

Providing an insight into the digital process in the sector, Oasis Studio hosted a student from Parkside School. Tony Buck, Associate Director at Oasis Studio, said:

“We welcomed our placement student to the studio to gain hands-on experience as if he were a true member of the team.

“We exposed Seth to a variety of typical tasks carried out at Oasis Studio. Tasks included transforming 2D technical drawings into a 3D digital model of a building using the latest software and techniques. He used his 3D model to create various formats of visual content including photorealistic CGI’s, floorplans and a marketing brochure. Also, Seth contributed towards internal project meetings and got involved with development projects in Virtual Reality.

“Overall, this placement not only provided valuable experience for the student. It brought fresh perspectives and innovation to the business, reinforcing our commitment to nurturing young talent.”

Oasis Studio and Parkside student property and construction

Oasis Studio and Parkside student

Seth, student at Parkside Community School, added:

“I enjoyed my time at Oasis Studio. It was a really nice place, with a good atmosphere and the staff was great. I even had a go at designing buildings and adding renders using CAD (Computer Aided Design). It was a really good placement.”

Matthew Gould, Head of PE and Careers at Parkside Community School, commented on the Made in Chesterfield programme:

“It’s been a pleasure to be involved with the Careers Made in Chesterfield programme. Engagement from students in the workshops delivered at the school and work experience has been fantastic.

Three of our students have benefitted from a work placement thanks to local business. We’re grateful for the opportunity and hope to link more young talent with Chesterfield businesses.”

Find out more

Could your business benefit from encouraging young people to consider careers in property and construction?

To find out how your business could get involved with the next Careers Made in Chesterfield scheme, contact Emily Williams, Skills Delivery Officer at Chesterfield Borough Council on 01246 959717.

To consider how your business could offer an apprenticeship to support careers in property and construction visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/hiring-an-apprentice/.

Are you a business operating in the property, construction, manufacturing, and engineering industries? You could get involved with the Made in Chesterfield programme by opening your doors to local schools. Find out more at: www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/.

Careers Made in Chesterfield header image

Careers Made in Chesterfield

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Local Work Experience Programme a Huge Success at Vicar Lane

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre’s recent work experience programme has been hailed as a huge success, after independent retailers helped with providing a 10-week work course for learners from Shirebrook.

The programme, put together by Shaun Brown, Centre Manager of Vicar Lane, and Sandra Currey, Programme Development Worker for Derbyshire Adult Community Education Services (DACES), saw five young learners from Shirebrook work with the centre’s independent outlets (Qoozies, Nana B Baby Boutique, Shop Indie and Gorilla Garms), as well as the Centre Management team.

The programme helped the learners to broaden their horizons, raise their aspirations and understand the reality of the world of work.

Each week, the learners began their day with an introductory session at the Centre Management Suite, before heading off to work in the participating independent outlets from 10am until 3pm. They then ended the day back at the Centre Management Suite where they reflected on their day’s work.

Taking part in the work experience programme has enabled the learners to bridge the gap between their education and the world of work, and helped them to find out more about potential career paths that are open to them.

The Shirebrook learners, said:

  • ‘’The programme has gone very well, I was quite nervous at the start but once I met Shaun, I felt a lot more comfortable and as the weeks kept going, I starting to feel a lot more confident. The placement has helped me decide what I want to do in the future.’’
  • ‘’My favourite part of the placement was getting to know all the staff and being able to get along with everyone because they are so friendly – I was offered an apprenticeship opportunity, and this has boosted my confidence.’’
  • ‘’Doing this work experience has helped me gain the confidence to work with the general-public, and work in a professional manner and to be able to handle working under pressure.’’
  • ‘’I have really enjoyed the online side of the business – it has been interesting tracking the customers who shop online and sending emails to them to let them know their order is on the way.’’
  • ‘’My placement has been amazing – this programme has helped me with talking to new people and has improved my confidence.’’
  • ‘’My placement has been great! I have gained confidence and learnt how to deal with difficult situations in a professional way.’’

Carole Healey, Programme Development Manager, said: “I was extremely impressed by the care, support and professionalism of Shaun. The fact that in order to facilitate our learners to the best of his ability and support them, Shaun also undertook to gain a teaching qualification in record time!”

“The inspirational way in which Shaun engages with our young people and the staff who have hosted them in their chosen work placements, is very evident. I could see for myself the difference it made. I witnessed the increase in confidence and maturity that this programme has given them.

“I would like to thank Shaun and everyone involved in this programme. The impact on these young people cannot be underestimated and I know they will carry this experience as a positive in their lives.”

Sandra Currey, Programme Development Worker, said: “Shaun was instrumental in setting up initial meetings with the employers and encouraging them to take part in the work experience pilot and he has taken an active role each week by delivering an excellent induction and several Nearpod lessons based around health and safety to ensure that learners were prepared for the world of work.”

“Shaun went over and above our expectations and undertook the Award in Education and Training qualification before the placement started to ensure that he delivered a professional service for our learners – we can’t thank him enough.”

“Shaun has enhanced the Study Programme curriculum by his involvement and everyone at DACES hopes that the project can continue in the future.”

Bev McKenzie, Study Programme Worker and Tutor, said: “Vicar Lane Shopping Centre and Shaun Brown have been tremendous in providing our students with the best possible work placement for their Customer Service qualification and work experience.

“Shaun supported them throughout the process and communicated with the tutors regularly so to ensure the project ran smoothly. We have created a great working relationship with Shaun and look forward to working with him in Sept 2021 when our new cohort are on board.”

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Vicar Lane and its independent businesses support local work experience programme

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, Chesterfield is once again proud to be working with Derbyshire Adult Community Education Services (DACES), to develop a work experience programme, this time with the support of the centre’s independent retailers.

The programme, put together by Shaun Brown, Centre Manager of Vicar Lane, will see five learners from Shirebrook and Clay Cross working in independent shops, as well as the Centre Management office, at Vicar Lane.

The aim of the programme is to bridge the gap between education and the real world of work, with the learners receiving meaningful interactions with employers.

Qoozies, Shop Indie, Nana B Baby & Childrenswear and Gorilla Garms are all getting involved in the programme.

The work experience programme is scheduled to start in May, with the learners working one day per week across ten weeks. The learners are currently studying a Customer Service qualification, and will be assessed whilst on their placements at the shopping centre.

Vicar Lane’s partnership with DACES began in 2019, and continues to grow, with Shaun Brown also planned to take part in the learners’ upcoming mock interviews, to help them overcome the nerves and build confidence.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “It is such a privilege to once again be working with a team of young people from the Chesterfield community. Previous initiatives produced some really positive results, and we’re really looking forward to having the learners as part of the Vicar Lane team over the next couple of months.

“A big thank you goes out to our wonderful indies, Qoozies, Shop Indie, Nana B Baby & Childrenswear and Gorilla Garms for supporting this programme.”

Find out more about Chesterfield’s diverse high street and retail scene over on our shopping page.

Vicar Lane supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield businesses urged to back virtual work experience programme

Businesses across North Derbyshire are being invited to support an ambitious work experience programme aimed at providing 600 placements for young people in the area. In this fast changing world, young people need an insight to the world of work to help prepare them for the future and raise their aspirations.

In the current climate, the ability to go and physically visit workplaces has all but disappeared. North Derbyshire Careers Hub and the D2N2 Enterprise Adviser Network has teamed up with the national charity Speakers for Schools to develop a solution – Virtual Work Experience – to ensure that all schools across D2N2 have the chance to provide their students with a virtual work experience opportunity.

Speakers for Schools was founded in 2010 by ITV’s Political Editor Robert Peston with a mission to level the playing field for young people. The charity aims to end educational inequality by giving access to the same networks as the top fee-paying schools in the UK through inspirational talks and broadcasts, employer insight days and work placements, and meaningful discounts and life-preparing opportunities.

Find out more

Interested businesses can find out more about the programme by signing up to a Virtual Work Experience (VWEX) Information Event targeted for Derby and Derbyshire

Businesses will hear more from Speakers for Schools Head of Region (Midlands) Sarah Cleverley, about how simple it is to be involved and offer valuable insights of your businesses to the young people of D2N2 and your future workforce.

The North Derbyshire Careers Hub was launched in January 2020 and has developed an effective partnership between employers and careers leaders in schools and colleges to drive forward careers education.

It is managed by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership along with the Careers and Enterprise Company. Dan Heffernan, D2N2 Careers Hub Lead, said:“ We are very excited to be joining up with Speakers for Schools to help young people in our region enjoy a high quality virtual experience of the world of work.

“This project will form one part of our wider virtual offer for schools and colleges across D2N2 – and as we continue to learn and adapt to the ‘new normal’ we are as committed as ever to providing as much support to the regions young people as possible.

“We have made this process as straight forward as possible, and all we ask is that any business that wants to get involved is prepared to take a little time out of their working week to help our young people get experience and knowledge of real world working environments.”

Jason Elsom, Chief Executive Officer, Speakers for Schools, said: “In an unprecedented year for schools, employers and most importantly, young people, Speakers for Schools is committed to levelling the playing field for school students of all backgrounds.

“This new partnership with D2N2 LEP and The North Derbyshire Careers Hub will enable us to work closely with schools and leading companies across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to provide high quality work placements.”

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