Two students from Leamington Spa College are completing T Level highways placements with Balfour Beatty Living Places on the contract maintaining roads across Warwickshire, Solihull and Coventry.
Jake Ingram and Joe Marlin are studying the two-year Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level, which is equivalent to three A Levels. The qualification requires at least 315 hours of industry placement.
The students completed 90 hours over the summer before beginning their second year at the college, part of Warwickshire College Group. Their placements are due to continue until November.
Experience across the maintenance contract
Warwickshire County Council said the placements have involved the contract’s project management, commercial, operational, planning and business improvement teams.
The students have attended site visits, health and safety meetings and toolbox talks, as well as gaining exposure to project planning and commercial processes. They have also worked on communication, time management, presentation skills, CV writing and job application techniques.
The council described the placements as an example of the social value it expects contractors to deliver alongside day-to-day services.
Councillor Stephen Shaw, Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for transport and planning, said: “When we drew up the Council Plan, the most common message from residents was that they wanted us to create opportunities for young people. That is why we encourage contractors to deliver social value alongside high-quality services.”
Andy Whitmill, contract director at Balfour Beatty Living Places, said: “A key measure of success for this contract is the positive impact it creates for local people and communities.”
Ingram said: “Being on site throughout our placement was an invaluable experience in which we learned so many skills and what a potential career in the construction industry could look like.”