VolkerFitzpatrick Champions Next Generation of Construction Talent through T-Level Industry Placements
Earlier this month, as part of our role as prime contractor at SEGRO Logistics Park Radlett – the Strategic Rail Freight Interchange and associated warehousing scheme to the south of St Albans - we collaborated with nearby Oaklands College to offer four T-Level industry placements for students studying Design, Surveying, and Planning T-Levels.
The course is a new Level 3 qualification, which combines classroom learning, practical application, and 315 hours of industry placement, offering students a comprehensive introduction to the workplace. To recruit for these placements, we designed an engaging employability programme which allowed for healthy competition between the students, with the premise that if they wanted the industry placement opportunity, they should earn it.
The programme was carried out over two days. On the first day, team members of our Radlett project volunteered to provide twelve students a project brief, site tour, construction challenge and careers workshop. The second day allowed students to have a one-to-one professional interview, followed by a 6-minute presentation to the group on why they wanted a career in construction.
This competitive process identified four talented students: George Clark, Neji Favour Eta, Evie Clark-Harding, and Danny Quinn, who will join the Radlett site team next year.
Graeme Howard, VolkerFitzpatrick Project Director, commented: "Initiatives like this are crucial for equipping the next generation with the skills needed to address the industry's growing demands. According to a recent report by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), over 250,000 additional construction workers will be required by 2028 to meet projected growth. We are excited to welcome these four T-Level students, providing them with valuable insights and hands-on experience to support their journey into the construction sector and contribute to shaping their future."
Charles Blake, Senior Director, National Markets, SEGRO, said: “When we create industrial and logistics developments we do so in the knowledge that we are making a long-term investment and therefore that we are going to be part of these communities for many years to come. This is why our commitment to invest in the communities in which we operate is so important to us and why we choose supply chain partners like VolkerFitzpatrick that share these values.
Two of the key focuses of our community programme are supporting skills and education, and helping people into employment. The construction phase of SEGRO Logistics Park Radlett offers a particularly good opportunity to enable these initiatives and the commitment by VolkerFitzpatrick to support T-Level students is the perfect example of the real benefits we can deliver together.”
Amira Abu Laban, Oakland’s College, Course Tutor commented: “The students’ performance throughout the programme exemplified the high standards of Oaklands College. Their professionalism, attitude, and knowledge left a lasting impression on the VolkerFitzpatrick team, highlighting the value of the college’s focus on real-world experiences alongside academic learning.”
The VolkerFitzpatrick placement programme has not only provided a pathway for Oaklands College learners to thrive in the construction industry but also set a benchmark for future collaborations with leading industry partners."
Championing Talent through Innovative Training Initiatives
At VolkerFitzpatrick, we are proud to provide a wide range of opportunities for young people to learn and develop skills in the construction and civil engineering industry. By prioritising education and employability, we not only make a positive impact on local communities, but also leave a lasting legacy well beyond the completion of our projects.
Our commitment to nurturing talent was recently recognised with the VolkerWessels group achieving Gold accredited membership in the 5% Club’s 2024-25 Employer Audit Scheme. This accolade underscores our dedication to ensuring that a minimum of 5% of our workforce comprises apprentices, sponsored students, or graduates on formal training schemes
