Lindum has helped 157 plumbing and electrical students fulfil their work experience requirements by taking part in a construction project management competition.

Working in groups of five, the Vision West Nottinghamshire (VWNC) learners pitched electrical and plumbing proposals for a new college training workshop inside the former Wilko, Sutton-in-Ashfield.

Their plans had to cover design, scope, costs, health & safety, risk assessments, quality, programming and marketing.

Lindum Social Value Lead Hayley Cowell, and Contracts Manager (CM) Darrel Patten, judged the presentations, with the winning teams receiving Amazon vouchers from Lindum and VWNC.

The winning electrical group were Sir-Cuit Electricals. This group consisted of Mya Taljaard, 17, Isaac Quenby, 17, and Jack Gunn, 16.

Mya Taljaard, who presented the winning electrical group’s project, said: “Being involved in a live project like this gave us a real insight into what it’s like to work on a professional construction project. It went far beyond traditional

classroom learning and helped us understand the roles, responsibilities and challenges involved in delivering a successful project.

“One of the biggest things I gained was confidence. Presenting our ideas and working alongside a strong team helped me overcome a lot of my worries and pushed me outside my comfort zone. We were all really focused on producing the best possible solution because we knew it reflected how we might work in industry in the future.

“The experience taught us things we wouldn’t normally learn in the classroom, from understanding the role of a site manager to developing presentation and tendering skills. It was challenging at times, but it was excellent preparation for the workplace and has given me much more confidence about pursuing a career in the industry.”

Andrew Stevens, the college’s Head of Centre for Building Services and Professional Studies in Construction (CBE & CE), said: “This collaboration between the college and Lindum has provided an outstanding opportunity for our students to take part in a realistic, industry-led tendering exercise.

“It’s been fantastic to see our plumbing and electrical staff working collaboratively to deliver such an ambitious challenge, enabling learners to consolidate their knowledge through the project, developed from a live brief within the very building they will be soon studying in.

“Throughout the department, we’ve seen some exceptional examples of student work, and this final task has challenged learners not only in their vocational knowledge, but also in their communication and presentation skills, all of which they’ll carry forward into their future careers and next steps.

“It’s been a privilege to work alongside Lindum throughout this project. We would also like to recognise the invaluable contribution of Danielle Askham, workplace engagement officer, for her support in co-ordinating and driving this opportunity forward.”

The competition follows trade work experience placements for VWNC at Ashfield District Council’s Northern Depot, where Lindum is building new facilities for waste collection, street cleaning, grounds maintenance and fleet management services.

Lindum CM Darrel, who is overseeing the Northern Depot project, said: “Seeing the 55 plumbing and 102 electrical students engage with a live project brief and approach it with such professionalism, creativity and enthusiasm has been incredibly rewarding.

“The competition gave learners valuable insight into the planning, coordination and communication skills needed to deliver successful construction projects.

“The quality of the presentations was extremely impressive, and it was clear that the students had put a huge amount of thought into every aspect of their proposals.

“At Lindum, we’re committed to supporting the next generation of construction professionals, and initiatives like this provide a fantastic opportunity to bridge the gap between education and industry.

“We hope the experience has given the students greater confidence and a clearer understanding of the exciting career opportunities available within the sector.”