How was the partnership formed?
This partnership was formed as a result of proactive working by both Robertson Construction Tayside and Dundee and Angus College. The staff within the college understand how important it is to partner with employers where possible to ensure cohesive working and to ensure all working practice standards are met. This also gives the students the best opportunity when leaving education and entering the work place.
How did the project come about?
Robertson Construction Tayside have been instrumental in creating a programme for the construction trade in relation to work placements and site visits between June 2018 and April 2019. The visits and placements have given the students a better understanding of the industry with opportunities to trial many varied trades and several different construction projects – this in turn may influence the apprentice’s future career choice.
Robertson’s has assisted Dundee and Angus College with apprentice interviews and even participating in promotional videos to promote initiatives. They have carried out motive-me talks to a number of students and sponsored a number of awards for the civil engineering students.
Robertson’s has accommodated technical student site visits for “Learn-to-learn” presentations on particular aspects of the construction process, always honed to relate directly to their curriculum.
Robertson’s has also recently carried out a woman in construction presentation in conjunction with Dundee and Angus College and Grove Academy.
Recent Feedback from a site visit;
“Thank you for the site visit yesterday morning. The students gained a great deal and this fits in well with the projects that they are currently carrying out. Your time and expert knowledge was appreciated by all.”
“The Project Manager on site described many aspects of the construction processes which aided the students’ understanding of elements of site investigations, substructure design, drainage and steel framework erection. The subject of programming and contracts also was a great help for students carrying out year-end projects.”
How did they win?
This partnership between Robertson Construction Tayside and Dundee and Angus College won the award for College-Employer Partnership due to the high level of work between the two and the sustained working which is in place.
Outcome of the project
With all the great work happening within this partnership the construction students within Dundee and Angus College have benefitted a great deal. The work placements and site visits allow the students to see first-hand what it will be like when in the real working environment.
The students are also benefitting from gaining a real working qualification. Due to the business working so closely with education, it means the learning will better match what employers want and need from young people coming into the industry.
Having these opportunities and this partnership will mean the students will also have a higher achievement rate in their results and when out working.