The Lessons Of Waste
21 July 2010
The project team on one of Costain's Greater Manchester Waste
sites has taken a group of school pupils studying for a new diploma
under its wing.
Students from Hope Valley College in Derbyshire have been making
regular visits to Bredbury Parkway, one of the sites in the Greater
Manchester Waste contract, as part of their Diploma in Construction
and the Built Environment (CBE) course.
Costain's involvement with the pupils began when Project SHE
Manager, Des Roy, was attending an 'options evening' at Hope
Valley, where parents discuss with teachers which non-core subjects
their children will take between the ages of 14 and 16.
The CBE diploma, which was newly introduced last year, comprises
a number of construction-related subjects that are studied in the
classroom, with field visits used to give a practical element to
the course. Pupils who successfully complete it get the equivalent
of seven GCSEs. The syllabus covers every aspect of a project; from
inception to completion, involving the theory and practical aspects
of design, the construction process itself through to operation,
plus maintenance and facilities management thereafter.
"I spoke with the Course Leader running the diploma, introduced
myself, said it sounded very interesting and offered him any help
Costain could give in the delivery of the diploma," says Roy. "He
got in touch and we decided we could help by arranging regular site
visits for the students to offer a practical insight that would
help with the delivery of the diploma."
The result has been a series of monthly visits to Bredbury
Parkway by the 12 youngsters taking the diploma. "The visits are
aimed at informing the students, but it is also important to make
them enjoyable. We are, after all, trying to encourage the next
generation into our industry."
When they visit the site the students are kept busy with a full
programme including presentations from Costain and its design team,
site tours and completing learning outcome assignments based on the
visit and the information the team gives them to take away. The
youngsters are encouraged to participate in question-and-answer
sessions with the team which is usually "quite an interesting
session" says Roy.
"The site team at Bredbury Parkway has really taken to the kids
and a great relationship is developing. Bredbury is one of the last
sites to finish on the Greater Manchester Waste contract and
usefully spans the full length of the diploma, so the pupils will
be fortunate enough to see the project progress to completion.
"The feedback we get from the school is very, very positive; the
kids like coming and the visits do help with the teaching of the
course." The pupils will sit their final examinations for the
diploma next summer.
Costain has, in recognition of the work they are doing on the
Greater Manchester Waste Project, received from the Peak 11
Consortium the Employers Recognition Award; details of the diploma
and the Recognition Award can be found at www.cbediploma.co.uk.
Ends