LEICESTERSHIRE STUDENTS HAVE A GO AT HOUSEBUILDING WITH DAVID WILSON HOMES

A group of students in Enderby have been given hands-on experience of housebuilding at a special event hosted by David Wilson Homes at one of its Leicester developments.

14 Year 11 students from Brockington College visited the New Lubbesthorpe development on Tweed Street to try their hand at a variety of practical skills, whilst learning the ins and outs of the construction industry from the experienced site team.

Those attending the ‘Have a Go Day’ were able to get a supervised taste of bricklaying whilst also learning about general site safety and the progress of a housing development with Zoe Stothard (Senior Site Manager) and Ben Derbyshire (Contracts Manager).

This visit, organised in partnership with Blaby District Council, was part of David Wilson Homes’ outreach within the communities in which it builds, involving local groups in its projects to provide educational and enjoyable opportunities on site.

Councillor Sharon Coe, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing, Community Engagement and Business Support, said: “We were delighted to work with David Wilson Homes to give Brockington students the chance to get hands-on experience of the construction sector. These opportunities are invaluable in highlighting the huge number of careers available in construction to young people.”

In addition to gaining an active experience with experts in the industry, the students were able to learn about the ins and outs of the construction industry at a vital part of their time at school; ahead of considering their own career paths.

Following the visit at New Lubbesthorpe, the developer also has plans in place to welcome a group of the college’s Year 9 students for another engaging experience in the New Year.

John Reddington, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes East Midlands, said: “Hosting events such as these allows us to include the local community in our projects with construction tutorials.

“We provide a range of enlightening experiences across our developments and we were delighted that the students from Brockington College were able to join us on this occasion.

“It’s an important time for the students as they look to plan their own careers ahead of university, apprenticeships or working life, and we’re pleased to have given them a taste of what construction involves.”

Zoe Stothard recently won her fifth consecutive Pride in the Job Quality award and a second Seal of Excellence award from the National House Building Council (NHBC). Such awards are among the highest accolades a Site Manager can achieve.

As a strong advocate for women in construction, Zoe’s insight was of great value to the female students in attendance from Brockington College.