Top employers from the Construction visit Warrington Collegiate to help students get ‘job ready’
Students get job ready at Warrington Collegiate
Employers from the Construction Industry visited Warrington Collegiate
to help students get ‘job ready’ for employment after finishing their college course.
Vanessa Conlin, Work Placement Coordinator, Warrington Collegiate, is in no doubt about the benefits to the students, saying, “The groundwork needed to help students prepare for employment should never be underestimated. During the event the students received invaluable advice, guidance and unique tips on how to stand out from the crowd and be successful during the job application and interview process. In addition to the event, Golden Gates Housing in Partnership with Bramall Construction and The Apollo Group will be providing work placement opportunities for the students, which will help to develop and enhance individual’s skills in readiness for the real world of work.”
The college welcomed representatives from Bramhall Construction, The Apollo Property Services Group and Golden Gates Housing Trust. The day started with an inspirational and motivational presentation from the employers talking about the routes they took into the industry. Their message was that wherever you start, it is your drive and determination together with hard work that takes you to the top.
Students then enjoyed a series of workshops on CV’s and job applications looking at what is needed and how to present themselves to an employer. Students were taken through the skills needed for job interviews.
For the final test for job readiness the students were put through their paces with mock interviews with the employers. Linda Crosby, Community Investment Manager from The Apollo group and Ian Finney, Contracts Manager for The Apollo Group. Ian is a former student at Warrington Collegiate and is now offering work experience to current students. They commented, “We enjoyed conducting the mock interviews and were impressed by the students we saw who all left a very positive impression. The programme of mock interviews together with the skills workshop should prepare the students well for the real-life job interviews.
Lynne Dalgleish, Project Manager for Golden Gates Housing Trust and Mark Kenyon, Quantity Surveyor for Bramhall Construction were delighted to have been invited to offer their expertise to the students at Warrington collegiate, adding, “An interview situation is nerve wracking for anyone, let alone young students. They all came across exceptionally well and were all very much focussed on where they wanted to take their future career. I sincerely hope that the mock-interview exercise will equip the students with an insight into a ‘real’ interview situation and what would be expected of them by a prospective employer.”
18 year old student, Ryan Farrell, from St Helens, who is studying the Extended Diploma in Construction, and is off to University next year to study for a degree in Building Surveying commented, “Being in front of real employers is really good practice. I really enjoyed it and feel that this process has equipped me with the knowledge and skills needed for the job market after my university course.”
Brian Knowles, Projects Manager at Bramhall Construction Ltd comments, “My colleague and I thoroughly enjoyed working with the students and were impressed with the level of preparation already done by some students and how receptive the groups were to the information we gave throughout the day. I hope the event has contributed towards the students’ knowledge and helps them achieve success in the construction industry. Bramall Construction Ltd is committed to providing help and support to the local community through involvement with Warrington Collegiate and would not hesitate to attend similar events in the future.”
Students interested in courses at Warrington Collegiate are invited to come along to Warrington Collegiate Spring Open Evening on Thursday 17th May and Tuesday 12th June to meet and talk to staff and current students about courses and their future career.
Alternatively students can request a prospectus by calling Learner Services 01925 494494 or emailing learner.services@warrington.ac.uk
For more information on Warrington Collegiate please visit www.warrington.ac.uk
Picture: from L-R, Student Ryan Farrell, employers Lynne Dalgeish and Mark Kenyon