Engineering students thrive on extended work placements with top employers

Engineering students at Westminster Kingsway College are boosting their skills after being given the opportunity to gain extra work experience with major employers across London.

Eighteen students from the college are working one day a week for Ardmore, Willmott Dixon, McLaren, Morgan Sindall, SCS Railways, Lendlease and two Hilton hotels.

The placements are an addition to the two-week placements they completed in January, which is a mandatory part of their Engineering Level 3 Diploma course.

Faaiz Banday, 18, who is studying for an Engineering Level 3 Diploma, is undertaking a placement at Ardmore’s Cambridge House development in Mayfair.

The historic listed building is being restored and converted into a luxury 102-room hotel with a spa, gym and nightclub and seven residential properties.

Faaiz said: “I’ve always been interested in engineering and how things are built. I used to enjoy woodwork at secondary school and always been a practical, hands on type of person.

“I’ve been looking at architect’s drawings showing different sections and elevations of the building and learning how to read them. I’ve also been shown how to use different CAD tools and visited parts of the site to see how it all applies to the way it is being constructed.

“Work placements are a great way to find out what you’re interested in and learn from people in the industry by asking questions about their experiences. It makes you feel motivated to follow in their footsteps when it comes to your own career.

“It’s been incredible to have the chance to do an extra day’s work placement each week and further build my skills and confidence. If I had stayed at school in sixth form, I would never have got a chance like this. It’s helping prepare me for a real job.”

Construction is just one of many industries that require engineering skills. Others include transport, chemical, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, energy, telecoms, technology and utilities.

Nic Finden, Project Director at Ardmore said: “I have worked for Ardmore for more than 20 years and the industry needs succession. Over the years there has been a shortfall in skilled labour, which is why it is important to encourage young people to come into the industry.

“Ardmore has always been a forward-thinking company that takes a lot of pride in the industry, promoting skills and knowing the value of homegrown labour. As long as they are respectful and self-motivated, we will open up doors for students to choose the career path that is right for them.”

The opportunity for students to undertake extra work experience is part of a trial by WestKing ahead of the college running its first engineering T Levels in September 2024.

T Levels are new technical qualifications that are the equivalent of three A Levels designed with employers and require students to complete 45 days on an industry placement.

WestKing currently offers Engineering courses from Levels 1-3 including foundation courses in Civil Engineering and Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering with City University of London.

Find out more about Engineering courses and apprenticeships across Capital City College Group, which includes WestKing, and apply here.

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