Gosport teens get a headstart in construction industry

A CONSTRUCTION firm has offered teenagers the chance to learn key skills and have practical work experience in the industry.
Bay House School students are getting hands-on with construction, courtesy of Berkeley Homes. Picture: SuppliedBay House School students are getting hands-on with construction, courtesy of Berkeley Homes. Picture: Supplied
Bay House School students are getting hands-on with construction, courtesy of Berkeley Homes. Picture: Supplied

Housebuilder Berkeley Homes has funded for a group of Year 10 students from Bay House School in Gosport to take on a 30-week construction course, ending up with a BTEC level one Extended Certificate in Construction.

The pupils are going across to Highbury College in Portsmouth once a week, studying carpentry, plastering and bricklaying, as well as health and safety.

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Following that, they are getting hands-on experience by working on Berkeley's new Gosport development near Royal Clarence Yard.

Managing director Chris Gilbert said: '˜We are pleased to welcome the students to this unique programme that offers a wide range of practical and employability skills that we hope they will find positively engaging.

'˜The construction industry is crying out for more young people to take an interest in jobs in this sector, so we want to give them a taster of some vocational skills that could lead to stable employment.

'˜For students that find traditional academia challenging, school can be a disillusioning place so it is great to be able to provide a different kind of opportunity to those young people.'

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The students are currently studying at Bay House School's Enterprise Academy, based in Military Road.

Ian Potter, head teacher at Bay House School, added: '˜Taking part in this scheme is a unique opportunity that will allow this group of young people to tackle new challenges and gain confidence.

'˜It also gives them a recognised qualification in construction, putting them in a good position to take on an apprenticeship or progress directly to a trade-specific course if they are interested.

'˜This is a great example of the way that businesses and employers in the local area can offer invaluable real world experience to young people who need some extra support and direction.'