Students from Northampton Academy have built on their skills with a visit to a construction site in the town.
The 14 and 15-year-olds have been learning skills used in the construction industry and were invited to visit a development by Lagan Homes at the former Pearce Leatherworks.
Mark Swainson, head of design and technology at the school, explained: “The students are learning a range of skills including carpentry, plumbing and bricklaying at our construction centre at school. The site visit enabled them to get out of the classroom environment and see for themselves how the skills they are learning are used in the industry.”
The visit has been enabled by Construction Futures; a groundbreaking construction training scheme established by West Northamptonshire Development Corporation and Funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Mark thanked Lagan Homes and Construction Futures for facilitating the visit and added: “From the students’ point of view it’s a great opportunity to see what a real construction site is like and to speak to people working in the industry. Historically we have seen students who have completed NVQ levels one and two in construction go on to study different areas of construction.”
Lagan is building 120 new homes in the grounds of the former Pearce Leatherworks. Reflecting the striking architecture of the original Grade II listed building, the development offers a selection of ‘Art Deco’ style houses plus some designs influenced by the ‘Arts & Crafts’ movement. The stunning front of the empty factory and office building will be retained and has planning permission to be converted.
Site manager Paul Neal said: “We were delighted to be able to show the students around the site so that they could see how the skills they are developing now can be used in practice in the future. Who knows, one day they could be working for Lagan Homes.”
Peter Caffry, Construction Futures Project Manager said: “School visits like this are just one of the ways we are helping local young people experience the world of work. We are trying to inspire the construction professionals of tomorrow and provide the training they need to be a success.”