STUDENTS have told of their delight at getting the chance to try out different trades at the new construction centre at South Essex College's Basildon campus. Based at the College's Campus in Nethermayne, the Centre offers industry level training, facilities, equipment and opportunities to students. The centre opened recently in partnership with Redrow Homes and Draper Tools. Redrow Homes is allowing them access to the new Westley Green development site for study visits to see the build in progress and offering work experience at the company’s regional office in Laindon; while Draper Tools are providing trade tools for the centre. Bharat Hirani, Head of Department Engineering and Construction, said: “Our new construction centre is finally open and we’re really excited to train the local tradespeople of the future in these great facilities. "If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in a building trade, this is definitely the course for you. “The dedicated centre is fully equipped and solely for construction students. "The partnerships we have built with Redrow Homes and Draper Tools will offer students real trade connections in an industry environment.” "I just won the Draper Tools enrolment prize for new construction students too so I’ve got a brand new tool kit to keep and I’m really happy with that! “I want to go into architecture or Interior Design eventually so I’m starting with the building basics and working my way up. "I hope to progress on to an Interior Design course at the college in the future.” She said: "I want to work on building sites, I have ever since I was little. "I want to take after my dad and grandad. “I’d like to be a bricklayer or something like that, any trade which lets me work on the sites. "I’m looking forward to starting my career and this course will be the first stepping stone.” He said: "I enjoy construction, I like working outside and I really want to work on building sites in the future. “All the different trades are interesting but bricklaying is my favourite so far. "I’m keeping my options open so this course is brilliant because I get the chance to learn about all the trades and experience each of them.” “After this course, I want to carry on and get my Level one, two and three and hopefully start my own business. The centre has great facilities, all we need to learn.” He said: “I want to join the army eventually and this course will help me achieve my goal of joining the Royal Engineers. I’ll learn the basics of carpentry, joinery, bricklaying and lots more so this course will help improve my skills. “The new centre has all the essential equipment we need in one place, it’s great to have our own focused area for construction.” He said: "I joined this course to help me secure a job in the construction industry. I’m still making my mind up about what trade I want to go in to so this is a good course because I get to try a bit of everything. The new facilities are really good, we have everything we need to learn all the different trades.”
Redrow has joined up with South Essex College and Draper Tools to open a construction centre, offering industry-level training as well as access to facilities, equipment and opportunities. The new centre will be located in the former site of the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) at the University of Essex.