Business : Training & Skills News

Is A Job In Construction Right For You?

Construction is a big industry, and there are lots of people who think that a job here might be right for them. It’s true, it very may well be, but at the same time, it might not be and it’s up to you to decide. Nobody else can do it

Read More »

Partnership between construction training experts The Skills Centre and major contractor O’Halloran & O’Brien creates 1,000 jobs in London

Participants guaranteed training and an interview for jobs at sites across London Leading construction training specialist The Skills Centre, has partnered with major building contractor O’Halloran & O’Brien to attract 1,000 people to new jobs on various construction projects around the Greater London area. A free, three-week, industry-led construction training

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New Area Manager Joins Roger Bullivant North West Division

New Area Manager Joins Roger Bullivant North West

Roger Bullivant, the specialist ground engineering company, which is part of the global Soletanche Bachy Group, has appointed Jon Harris as Area Manager in the North West region. Based at the company’s office in Chorley, Jon will be responsible for managing and developing the business unit in line with RB’s

Read More »

Tips on ways to get a job in the real estate industry

Real estate business is a dynamic one. You will often find yourself in a changing situation. It can be with customers, property prices, or areas. But once you learn to market the property you want to sell off well, you’ll be very successful. While earning profits for yourself, you will

Read More »

Explained: Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations

Many construction businesses think they’re providing their teams with sufficient high-visibility work wear, when in fact they could be putting their lives at risk. At this time of year when a lot of construction teams are working outside in low light and poor visibility conditions, they need to be wearing

Read More »

Lee Marley Brickwork Ltd Appoints Training Manager for Brickwork & Scaffolding Apprenticeships

Lee Marley Brickwork Ltd (LMB) has appointed Christian Hatherall-Good as the company’s Training Manager. LMB currently offers both brickwork and scaffolding apprenticeships in order to bring the next generation of tradesmen into the construction industry. Christian, bringing 25 years of experience in construction and education, will be charged with developing LMB’s

Read More »
Partnership to Nurture Construction Talent

Partnership to Nurture Construction Talent

Specialist housing and construction recruitment firm, Andersen James, has secured a long term partnership with J Tomlinson, a provider of refurbishment, new build and maintenance services in the built environment and social housing spaces.  Having worked together since 2015, Andersen James has previously recruited more than 100 candidates for the

Read More »

London South Bank University Civil Engineering apprentice wins CIHT Apprentice of the Year 2020

Victoria Bathe a London South Bank University (LSBU) Civil Engineering apprentice, employed by construction firm FM Conway Ltd has won Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) Apprentice of the Year 2020. CIHT’s Apprentice of the Year Award celebrates the achievements of apprentices who work in the highways and transportation sector, and

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

Business : Training & Skills News

Is A Job In Construction Right For You?

Construction is a big industry, and there are lots of people who think that a job here might be right for them. It’s true, it very may well be, but at the same time, it might not be and it’s up to you to decide. Nobody else can do it for you, because nobody else knows the answers in the same way that you do. If you would like to find out more about how you can tell if a job in construction is going to be right for you, keep reading down below. It’s Secure One of the best things about the construction industry is that it is secure. We are never going to run out of things to build, which means we are always going to need people working in this sector. If you want to know that your line of work is relatively secure most of the time, then this is a good place to be. Keep in mind that just because the industry is secure, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your job is, that will all depend on the company that you work for and how good you are at your job. It Could Make You Feel Good One of the best things about working in construction is that you get to see what you have done immediately. You don’t want to wait for results, they are going to be right in front of you. It’s for that reason that construction actually has one of the highest job satisfaction ratings. Sometimes when you’re working in a different job, it can feel as though you are trying so hard and putting in so much effort, but you’re not seeing any difference or any change in what you are doing. This isn’t going to be the case with construction. Being able to see what you have done in a day will make you feel good. You will know that you’ve achieved something for the day, and this is important for a lot of people. It’s Fun Finally, if you are someone who likes to use their hands and get down and dirty, then construction is a lot of fun. If you are good with your hands, and like to keep them busy throughout the day, then construction is going to be a bonus for you. A lot of people don’t like sitting down at a desk all day and just typing or answering phones, and if this sounds like you, then you might find construction more fun. Working with your hands just gives you a whole new level of feeling behind your career as opposed to being stuck indoors all day. We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see how you can tell if a job in construction is going to be right for you. Really, you won’t know until you begin working with a company, but you will get a good idea by thinking about these things. We wish you the very best of luck with your career, and hopefully you’re going to choose construction as your future.

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Partnership between construction training experts The Skills Centre and major contractor O’Halloran & O’Brien creates 1,000 jobs in London

Participants guaranteed training and an interview for jobs at sites across London Leading construction training specialist The Skills Centre, has partnered with major building contractor O’Halloran & O’Brien to attract 1,000 people to new jobs on various construction projects around the Greater London area. A free, three-week, industry-led construction training programme will be offered when lockdown ends to all that apply, together with a guaranteed job interview for work on a number of major London building projects. All the project sites are still open and have strict Covid-safe protocols in place to ensure working on site is not just productive but also protects all workers. Jon Howlin, Chief Executive of The Skills Centre, said that in a year that has rocked the construction industry, as well as the economy as a whole, it is great to launch this scheme to help those who may have been made redundant or who are looking for work in construction: “It has been great to partner with the O’Halloran & O’Brien on this project, and we encourage those who have been dealt a bad hand in the past few months to consider this chance for a new career. “The pandemic has decimated many industries such as hospitality, aerospace and manufacturing, to name but a few. What we are offering here is an amazing chance for people of all ages and from all walks of life to get free, top-notch training with our experienced construction experts though our site-ready programme. Not only that, but candidates are also guaranteed a job interview at the end of it. Some of the jobs may even turn into full apprenticeships.” All those who complete and pass the three-week course will get a Green Labourers CSCS card, Level 1 Award in Health & Safety in a Construction Environment, and Construction health and safety certificates (including manual handling). Following the training, they will be guaranteed a job interview for one of the thousand jobs on offer – including shuttering-carpenters, steel-fixers, pipe-layers, ground-workers and strikers throughout the Greater London area. Martyn Price MBE, Workforce Development Director from O’Halloran & O’Brien Ltd and Chairman of the Cross-Industry Construction Apprenticeship Task Force, said: “The industry really needs investment in new people joining the sector and so we are incredibly excited to see this programme begin. Our commitment to training is the bedrock of our business and builds on our strong foundations to deliver a safe, competent and qualified workforce for the future, and we look forward to strengthening the construction workplace with well-trained new recruits through this fantastic joint initiative with The Skills Centre.” The initiative is supported by the Construction Skills Fund, which was established in October 2018 to train a site-ready workforce to meet the needs of the construction industry. The £20 million Construction Skills Fund (CSF) comprises £17 million from the Department for Education (DfE) and £3 million from Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). In its first year of operation the CSF helped create 26 new on-site training hubs across England, of which 14 of the hubs have been approved to continue operating to June 2021. CITB’s Strategy and Policy Director Steve Radley said: “The creation of 1,000 new construction jobs in London would be a fantastic achievement as the country continues to deal with the pandemic, and every one of those 1,000 jobs will mark a turning point in that new recruit’s life. Construction urgently needs skilled new workers to build the houses, hospitals and infrastructure Britain needs to rebuild its economy, so congratulations to The Skills Centre and O’Halloran & O’Brien in providing this brilliant initiative.” The training take place in six different centres across London and the South east, in Brixton, Barnet, Bermondsey, Earls Court, Elephant and Castle and Gravesend. Anyone interested in applying should go to https://theskillscentre.co.uk/welcome-to-a-new-start-in-construction

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New Area Manager Joins Roger Bullivant North West Division

New Area Manager Joins Roger Bullivant North West

Roger Bullivant, the specialist ground engineering company, which is part of the global Soletanche Bachy Group, has appointed Jon Harris as Area Manager in the North West region. Based at the company’s office in Chorley, Jon will be responsible for managing and developing the business unit in line with RB’s ambitious strategic plan for growth.  “I admire the company’s ethos and the fact that everything is driven around quality – from the aesthetics of the product and how its delivered, to the internal systems behind it. There’s also a consistency in standards and business culture which I am proud to be a part of. Although I have joined the company a very unusual time, I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead and working closely with the other regional teams,” commented Jon on his appointment as Area Manager. Jon has worked in the piling industry sector within the North West region for over 25 years. RB North West regions covers a geographical area from Carlisle in the north of England to Llandudno in north Wales. It is an exciting time for the region as it embarks on a new year to achieve business objectives and growth plans. “Jon has wide-ranging piling experience, industry expertise and knowledge of the market. He is the ideal candidate to lead our ambitious plans for strategic growth across the North West, where we design, deliver and install ground solutions across various sectors within the construction industry. We’re thrilled to welcome Jon to the team and wish him the best of luck in his new role,” added Managing Director at Roger Bullivant, Cliff Wren.

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Tips on ways to get a job in the real estate industry

Real estate business is a dynamic one. You will often find yourself in a changing situation. It can be with customers, property prices, or areas. But once you learn to market the property you want to sell off well, you’ll be very successful. While earning profits for yourself, you will also be helping people find places to live. Let’s take a look at ways to help you get a job in the real estate industry. What is your end goal? When you step into any business, you should have an end goal in mind. A target you want to achieve is your motivation. Without it, you won’t be able to embark upon the journey of success in real estate. To get to the end, you need to start with the basics. Make sure you clear your test and get your license. Without it, you won’t be able to step into the industry. Careers in the real estate industry can be a blessing, but the first few years are crucial. It is the breaking point of your career. Plan everything for it like building a network, know which areas people want to buy houses in, and so on. You need to try to enhance your advertising skills a lot. Start advertising on search engines and through your customers also. Make pages on social media and add updates about your business now and then. Plan out your marketing strategy in an effective way to reach your ultimate goal. You will need a good resume Real estate is not a part-time job industry. You need a well written and formatted resume to get yourself good jobs in the real estate industries. Without a good job, you will have to find alternate sources of income which can be challenging. It becomes a hassle to shuttle between different jobs during the day, so try to bag the best real estate job. If you don’t know how to write a good resume or have never done it before, don’t stress out. You can approach a cv writing service to get the best possible CV for yourself. Services like ResumeThatWorks.com prepare well-drafted resumes with all the details that you provide. You only have to pay them an affordable amount and get your job done. Why bother so much when you can buy something and get a job too! You can also find samples online if you want to give it a shot yourself. Get creative If you want to be successful, then be creative. Come up with catchy slogans that put the spotlight on you! Come up with good deals to attract people to your office. Have a well-designed office to attract people. They might feel that if you have constructed your office so well, you’d know what kind of houses people want. Working in the real estate industry takes much creativity to attract people. Your marketing strategies should be creative and set you apart from your competitors. Remember that most real estate agents neglect creativity. They only focus on mainstream areas and houses. Try to find modern properties located in modern areas and collaborate with them. Create attractive personal note cards to give to people. Ask your friends and customers for referrals if they like your work. Come up with ideas to support your online presence. Only because your online website is professional, doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Volunteer work Volunteering goes a long way when it comes to building a good public reputation. It is a great way to give back to the community. One way is to train a few newbies in the industry. You can help them by delivering your knowledge about the business. Tell them about what you have gathered throughout the years. That way, you will be doing something for society’s betterment. You can, later on, hire them as you can trust them to know your work style. Many students are now interested in this business as it is a profitable one. If you are also trying to make it big in the real estate market, you need to focus a lot on it. Getting into the real estate industry might take away all your time. You won’t have any time on your hand for college submissions. Assignments might also pile up, and there is a risk of missing out on deadlines. It’s time you pay for essay writing online. They can handle your assignments while you focus on your career. Network You can’t survive in this industry without building a strong network. You must focus on your networking skills to make sure to do justice to your job. Interact with people regularly and always keep your card ready. Try to make sure your customers are happy with your services so that they recommend you to others. To face the market’s cut-throat competitive environment, you must always be on your toes to survive. Work with other agents who are working for a longer time. They have much knowledge on how to market. You can use their brand name to build yours. Don’t wonder how to get into the real estate industry without having a mentor. You need a mentor to teach you ways to handle networking: the larger your network, the more your outreach. So never compromise on this, have someone who can guide you in the initial stages of your career. Be competitive As we said, you have to face cut-throat competition as a newbie in the business. So remain firm and come up with new ideas. Never have a laid back attitude; otherwise, your competitors will take away all your customers. Keep an eye on everything they’re doing and on the dynamics of the market. Keep an update on what’s going on around you. With that, keep your accounts private. Edmund Malone, a business developer who works with Essaykitchen believes that you must do whatever it takes to achieve success and be competitive. Try to have a cordial relationship with everyone in the market to keep

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Explained: Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations

Many construction businesses think they’re providing their teams with sufficient high-visibility work wear, when in fact they could be putting their lives at risk. At this time of year when a lot of construction teams are working outside in low light and poor visibility conditions, they need to be wearing high visibility clothing that reflects from all angles. When buying PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for your employees, there are a number of things that need to be considered. What factors need to be considered The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 require a number of factors to be taken into account to ensure the correct clothing is chosen for a particular task. Some of the things your business needs to asks itself are: Is it suitable for the risk? – the choice of clothing should take into account any ambient and artificial lighting conditions, as well as the effect of conditions such as fog or snow. Is it suitable for the job? – if your employees are working in a warehouse for example, they may find that some types of loose fitting hi-vis vests snag on moving machinery parts. Is it compatible with other forms of PPE? – if two or more types are being worn, they shouldn’t interfere with each other. Are there any standards the clothing should meet? – hi-visibility clothing should be manufactured to a recognised standard. The current British standard is BS EN 471. Different types of high-vis jackets that can be used There are a number of options available depending on the job being undertaken. Whether you opt for a hi-vis vest which are perfect for warehouse work or a long-sleeve hi-vis polo shirt or jacket for outdoor construction in the colder temperatures, it’s important to get the right ones for your employees. There are even trouser and jacket combinations for even more high risk environments, for example while working on a motorway. What employers need to offer their workforce As an employer you must do the following according to the 1992 regulation: Provide any hi-vis clothing free of charge to any employees who may be exposed to risk Maintain any hi-vis clothing. It must be in a clean state and in good working order Provide adequate information, instruction and training to allow employees to use the high visibility clothing correctly Supervise employees to make sure they’re wearing the clothing correctly whenever it’s needed What employees need to do If required, employees should wear hi-vis clothing provided as instructed by your employer. They should also look after any clothing that is issued to them, check for and report any damage and use any storage facilities provided when the clothing isn’t in use.

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Students helping to build own campus on Caddick Construction scheme with The Manchester College

A group of students at The Manchester College’s Industry Excellence Academy for Construction & Engineering are helping to build part of their own campus thanks to an Industry placement scheme with Caddick Construction. Forming part of the College’s blueprint for the new T Level qualification, students studying on The Manchester College Architectural & Construction Engineering (ACE) Scholarship programme are spending two days each week on Caddick’s live Openshaw campus construction site as part of their two-year studies. On completion, the students will gain a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Construction and Built Environment, an industry and university-recognised qualification equivalent to three A Levels. They will also benefit from a range of bespoke, co-developed modules to help fill industry skills gaps identified by an employer consortium working with the College. Caddick Construction was awarded the contract to build the £25m teaching facility at The Manchester College’s Openshaw campus in September. They will continue to have students on site each week on a half termly rotation until the completion of the project. The students will undertake on-site supervised tasks working with site engineers and health & safety managers before delivering a project at the end of the six-week placement. The state of the art facility they are helping to build will feature a range of industry standard facilities, including a six court sports hall, outdoor pitch, gym and sports lab; a health suite with a hospital ward and infectious disease area for healthcare students; and brand new workshops for construction, mechanics and engineering students. Caddick Construction Framework Scholarship Manager, Michelle Swarbrick, said: “As a family business Caddick Construction has always championed industry placements as the ideal way to learn the right skills on the job and become part of a very experienced team. This partnership with The Manchester College is ideal for both parties as we know we are going to get committed students on site, and the students receive fantastic work experience on an exciting construction project that’s going to be an important part of the College’s future educational provision.” Caddick’s North West Managing Director Ian Threadgold added: “It is through these type of industry partnerships that the students get the best of both worlds in terms of hands-on work experience coupled with quality teaching and a recognised industry qualification. These students are the next generation for construction companies and we want to be part of preparing them for their future careers.” Chris Wright, Assistant Principal at The Manchester College added: “We are now working with a consortium of 10 of the largest and most influential Constructors in the North West to co-design and co-deliver our scholarship programmes. Students have a unique opportunity to work alongside industry experts at the cutting edge of construction technology on a weekly basis, amassing over 90 days of Industry Placement experience over the two years of the programme. “Partnering with Caddick on the College’s own construction campus development is a fantastic opportunity for students to experience work with modern methods of construction on the very workshops and classrooms they themselves will inhabit from September 2021. I’m really excited to be working with Caddick as part of our consortium and for the future of Technical Education as we move towards the introduction of T Levels in Construction from September 2021.” The Manchester College is the number one provider of 16-19 education in Greater Manchester and one of the largest Further Education colleges in the UK.   

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Jobs Boost as Work Gets Underway at Keepmoat Housing Development

More than 60 construction jobs will be safeguarded or created by Keepmoat Homes which has started work on a new £14m housing scheme in West Denton, Newcastle. The deal to acquire the site from Newcastle City Council was completed last month – it is the latest in a line of projects delivered by Keepmoat Homes working in partnership with the local authority, which has so far produced 774 new homes at eight developments in the last five years. The top 10 UK home builder will create 96 two, three and four-bedroom houses and bungalows at the Thornley Road site alongside partners Leazes Homes, who will create five specialist learning disability bungalows, and Riverside who will create 27 dwellings for affordable rent and shared ownership. Ian Prescott, North East Land and Partnerships Director at Keepmoat Homes, said: “We’re delighted to have started work on our latest development in Newcastle which is the latest in a long list of already successful sites we have created in association with Newcastle City Council. “As well as building a community, we are safeguarding employment in the region for at least the next three years whilst we are on site.  “Working again with Newcastle Futures and Generation North East we will also be creating work placement, pre-apprentice and apprentice opportunities for people in the city.” Councillor Linda Hobson, Cabinet Member for Housing at Newcastle City Council, said “Housing is a priority for the council and we are committed to offering a range of homes to meet the diverse needs of residents in our city.  Mixed tenure developments like this one don’t just provide good quality housing they also promote social inclusion and bring a real sense of community to the area. I look forward to seeing the work progress and residents move in when the properties are completed.” In recent years Keepmoat Homes has won a series of awards in the North East, including a North East Equality Award for its work in the community and a ‘Heart of The Community’ award at the North East Business Awards.

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Lee Marley Brickwork Ltd Appoints Training Manager for Brickwork & Scaffolding Apprenticeships

Lee Marley Brickwork Ltd (LMB) has appointed Christian Hatherall-Good as the company’s Training Manager. LMB currently offers both brickwork and scaffolding apprenticeships in order to bring the next generation of tradesmen into the construction industry. Christian, bringing 25 years of experience in construction and education, will be charged with developing LMB’s programme further and capitalising on the recent change in the pathway of apprenticeship funding that gives employers greater flexibility on delivering the training that they need. What sets LMB’s award winning programmes apart from others is a combination of behavioural coaching and up to the minute technical instruction. The training offered goes beyond current apprenticeship requirements with specialist modules focussing on modern methods of construction, fire safety and quality assurance. Based at their Head Office in Reading, he will be in charge of all LMB apprentices, mentoring and monitoring them throughout from the point of induction, to monitoring and delivering training, through to qualification.  LMB’s brickwork apprentices spend four days on site gaining real hands on experience and one day at College while apprentice scaffolders follow a more staged block release programme. Christian is currently looking after 26 brickwork and 9 scaffold apprentices, he has students working on sites such as Oval Village Vauxhall with Berkeley Homes and Chelsea Barracks for Multiplex.  Many of the company’s current apprentices are from Brooklands College where he worked for over 8 years as Head of Construction Curriculum and as a bricklaying tutor. But a key part of Christian’s role will be building relationships with other colleges and local authorities in order to identify new talent to join the LMB apprenticeship scheme. Christian, who holds a Professional Certificate in Education focused in Education from Greenwich University, will also oversee personal development and upskilling of LMB’s current operatives including identifying recent graduates of the apprenticeship programme that show managerial promise and encouraging them to take on more responsibility under the wing of an experienced site supervisor and are supported through their SSSTS and SMSTS for brickwork supervisors or their Advanced Scaffolder or CISRS Supervisor qualification for scaffolders. The next step for LMB will then be to open their own training centre that would be at the forefront of brickwork and scaffolding training in the UK. Christian is in the process of looking at funding and accreditation for this, watch this space! 

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Partnership to Nurture Construction Talent

Partnership to Nurture Construction Talent

Specialist housing and construction recruitment firm, Andersen James, has secured a long term partnership with J Tomlinson, a provider of refurbishment, new build and maintenance services in the built environment and social housing spaces.  Having worked together since 2015, Andersen James has previously recruited more than 100 candidates for the group, with key senior appointments including three of J Tomlinson’s Managing Directors and its Financial Director.  As a result of past successes, the new long term partnership will focus on creating an embedded recruitment solution to amplify J Tomlinson across a variety of sectors including care, maintenance, FM and engineering, improve the candidate journey through a consistency of approach, and placing a significant focus on cradle to grave recruitment.  Working as an extension of the J Tomlinson team, Andersen James will assist the group in nurturing the sector’s next generation of talent with an apprenticeship assessment strategy and the rollout of a trainee programme.  Priding themselves on value-add propositions, Andersen James will also offer strategic support in the attraction and recruitment of talent, as well as future proofing the business with employee engagement and retention strategies.  The contract win has resulted in Andersen James committing to two new hires, supporting its plans to secure sustainable future growth.  James Leighton, Managing Director of Andersen James, said: “We’re thrilled that our past work with J Tomlinson has led to a long term partnership to overhaul its recruitment process with our innovative solutions. We know the coronavirus pandemic has had a particular impact on youth employment, so we’re proud to be working with J Tomlinson to provide these new opportunities.”  Mark Davis, Chief Executive at J Tomlinson, said: “Andersen James have demonstrated real value through our past work together with their focus on providing an efficient recruitment process. Our new partnership will take this to the next level through working as an extension of our team to provide a world class recruitment service to the business.” The news follows Andersen James’ recent investment into its innovative strategic partnerships service to support clients in the better attraction, recruitment and retention of talent, as well as to ensure sustainable growth following the coronavirus pandemic.  Andersen James also recently secured a long term exclusive partnership with regeneration firm, Urban Splash, and housing association, Riverside. Andersen James is a specialist recruitment partner for the housing and construction sector and offers strategic partnerships in the attracting, recruiting and retention of talent. 

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London South Bank University Civil Engineering apprentice wins CIHT Apprentice of the Year 2020

Victoria Bathe a London South Bank University (LSBU) Civil Engineering apprentice, employed by construction firm FM Conway Ltd has won Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) Apprentice of the Year 2020. CIHT’s Apprentice of the Year Award celebrates the achievements of apprentices who work in the highways and transportation sector, and the organisations that put them at the heart of their business. CIHT represents and qualifies professionals who plan, design, build, manage, maintain and operate transport and infrastructure projects Sammy Shummo, Group Director of Apprenticeships at LSBU said: “Victoria was the one of the first apprentices to complete her Level 4 HNC Civil Engineering apprenticeship at LSBU this year. She has since gone on to study on our Level 6 BEng Civil Engineering Apprenticeship. “For LSBU, winning this award is further proof that the University excels at setting up apprentices for successful future careers.” Victoria Bathe, LSBU’s Civil Engineering apprentice, said: “I’m overjoyed to have won this award. But I couldn’t have won it without the support of the team I work with and backing of the company. They have given me the excellent experience and skills I have today. I’m so excited to be able to go on and develop these in future.” The CIHT awards were presented at the Young Professionals Festival of Learning. View the announcement on CIHT’s Twitter and Linkedin accounts.

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