Local housebuilder delivers week-long training to Plymouth college

Persimmon Homes Cornwall and West Devon were delighted to recently support a work experience week at Eggbuckland Community College.

Persimmon worked with the College to coordinate a programme of activities that would give around 20 students an experience of the construction sector and some of the roles that are involved in the industry.

The week started with an introduction to Persimmon Homes and what is done within the business, with Apprenticeship Manager Andy Wallis talking them through how it supports local communities.

The first day saw an area within the school being selected as a potential location for the placement of some new picnic benches and planters for the students to use. The students were then asked to design their vision for this space using construction methods explained by the professionals.

The next day, students were introduced to Persimmon’s ‘Get Set to Build a Community’ activity, developed in conjunction with Team GB. Based on a real-world scenario, it challenged the students to plan, design, build, and market a community focussed housing development for athletes and their families, with help from Eve Somerville and Aaron Puffett, Senior Development Control Planner and Graduate Planner at Persimmon Homes Cornwall & West Devon, respectively.

Wednesday gave the students the opportunity to visit a live construction site and see how houses are built and understand the Health and Safety protocols that are in place within a site environment.

The final two days saw the young people construct the benches and planters for the area in teams, each supported by Andy and local apprentices Eddie Kenyon and Emily Baker. As a finishing touch, the names of all the students who were involved in the project were laser etched onto one of the legs of the tables.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes Cornwall & West Devon RegionalApprenticeship Manager Andy Wallis – who is also the Enterprise Advisor for Eggbuckland School – said: “Persimmon Homes highly values the role apprentices play in our business and we a proud of the employment, skills, and training opportunities we provide for local people across Cornwall and West Devon, which is exactly why we believe it is important to put on events like these at Eggbuckland.

“The students were incredibly enthusiastic and demonstrates there is definitely a role for this kind of training for and engagement with young people in our communities. I want to thank Lynn Harris for working with me to deliver this and I look forward to doing more in future.

“The finished tables came out fantastically well and all the students were really happy with what they had created over the past two days. Many were taking pictures of their creations to show their family and friends, and will now make their way to be used in the school grounds.

“The students can be proud of what they achieved during the week.”

Lynn Harris, Careers Co-ordinator at Eggbuckland Community College, added: “The in-house alternative work experience programme designed by Andy and funded by Persimmon Homes provided a great opportunity for students to be involved in the practical, hands-on project that young people exploring future career options really value.

“Coupled with a construction site visit this is an experience that will long serve these students at Eggbuckland Community College site and it’s great that their work will live on in the outdoor common area they’ve created.

“Construction placements are not easy to find, so we’re grateful this opportunity provided students with a realistic and meaningful work experience, working alongside industry experts, and will now add value to their CVs for future applications, whatever type of qualification or job that may be.”