College students gain hands-on experience thanks to housing development partnership
Construction students from Andover College have been gaining valuable on-site experience thanks to a partnership between Taylor Wimpey and the college, promoted through an Employment and Skills Plan agreed between Test Valley Borough Council and the housebuilder.
The Employment and Skills Plan is a condition of the planning permission for Taylor Wimpey’s housing development at The Forum in Andover and details the support for local employment and training opportunities that will be provided during the build.
A strong collaboration has been forged between Andover College and Taylor Wimpey to deliver the work experience parts of the Employment and Skills Plan which has been of great value for both Taylor Wimpey and the College. As a result, 10 students from construction and trade courses have already had the opportunity to undertake work experience placements on site, helping them build confidence and practical skills in a real-world setting. Further students will have this opportunity during the autumn term. Graduate and trades apprentices are working on site, and Taylor Wimpey has visited Andover College, Harrow Way and John Hanson schools to support their careers’ events. Existing Taylor Wimpey employees have also completed significant training in the course of this development.
Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council, said: "This is a great example of how planning can deliver wider benefits for our community. It’s fantastic to see the benefits to both Andover College and Taylor Wimpey and to see students gaining hands-on experience that could shape their future careers."
Graham Ayrton, Business Development Manager at Andover College, said: "Our students have really valued the chance to get out on site and see how their classroom learning applies in practice. Partnerships like this help bridge the gap between education and employment, and we’re grateful to Taylor Wimpey and TVBC for facilitating this."
Sarah Pasco, Sales and Marketing Director at Taylor Wimpey West London, added: "We’re committed to supporting the communities where we build, and that includes helping young people develop the skills they need to succeed. It’s been a pleasure working with the College and Council to create these opportunities."
TVBC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to use their National Skills Academy for Construction framework when agreeing Employment and Skills Plans for large developments within Test Valley.
The Forum is the final phase of Taylor Wimpey’s Augusta Park community, providing a mix of 102 homes to suit local housing needs. For more information people can visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/new-homes/andover-/the-forum