LEICESTERSHIRE STUDENTS GO SITE SEEING WITH LEADING HOUSEBUILDER

A group of students from Groby have been given a first-hand experience of housebuilding at an event hosted by David Wilson Homes at one of its Leicestershire developments.

A group of 11 Year 9 students from Brookvale Groby Learning Campus visited the New Lubbesthorpe development on Tweed Street in Leicester, to learn the ins and outs of the construction industry from the experienced site team.

Those attending the site visit were given an insight into general site safety and the progress of the housing development with David Wilson Homes Contracts Manager, Ben Derbyshire.

This visit was organised in partnership with Blaby District Council as part of its ‘Changing the Face of Construction’ initiative to get more girls into the construction industry. It was part of the developer’s outreach within the communities in which it builds, involving local groups in its projects to provide educational and enjoyable opportunities on site.

Beth Rumming, Teacher at Brookvale Groby Learning Campus, said: “I was so grateful for the experience that Blaby District Council and David Wilson Homes provided to our Year 9 girls. They gained a really valuable insight into the world of construction which has opened their eyes to opportunities available to them beyond school.

“They were so excited by the opportunity and have been keen to tell their teachers back at school about their experiences. Thank you again to Jo, Ben and Freya for being such amazing hosts and inspiring our girls to pursue a career in construction!”

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

Councillor Sharon Coe, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing, Community Engagement and Business Support, said: “We are hugely grateful to David Wilson Homes for hosting these students and giving them a valuable understanding of the construction industry.

“Trips like this cannot happen without the support of businesses like David Wilson Homes, and their insight for these brilliant Brookvale Groby students will give them another choice as they look to their own futures.

“We’re hopeful of organising more of these events in the future as we continue our work to further the opportunities for females in construction.”

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 Brookvale Groby Learning Campus were able to join us for the site visit.

“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.”

David Wilson Homes recently presented its Site Manager of the Quarter award to Jonathan Lindsey, who oversees the construction at New Lubbesthorpe, which demonstrates the high standards set at the development.