Next generation of Cornish construction workers swap college for construction site

A group of post 16 year-olds got to experience what life is really like working within the housebuilding industry after swapping a day at college for a day on a busy construction site.

Cornwall and West Devon region hosted the group of Helston Community College students, at the Eve Parc development in Falmouth. The College is in close proximity to land recently purchased by housebuilder in South Cornwall. 

During the visit, the Construction Diploma students gained first-hand experience of how a construction site operates, as well as the opportunity to learn more about the various build stages of a Persimmon home. 

Our site at Clodgey Lane has outline planning permission and could see the delivery of 404 new homes for local people, with 101 properties made available to a local housing association partner in the region. 

The visit of Helson Community College Students to our Eve Parc site was facilitated by Cornwall Marine Network.

Lead Employability Skills Tutor & Assessor Safeguarding Lead for Cornwall Marine Network, Joe Davies said:

“We are very grateful to Persimmon for allowing our students to visit the Eve Parc development and get to see first-hand what life is really like on a busy construction site.

“This visit helped show the students how the skills they are learning in college will equip them for a future within this industry.

“It also highlighted that there are employment opportunities within the construction industry in our local area and it will hopefully have inspired the students to work hard during their time at Helston Community College so they can, in future, go on to have a successful career within this industry here in Cornwall.”

Our plans in Helston could open up a new market in Cornwall and could see the creation of significant new job opportunities for the lifespan of the site in the southern part of the county.

As part of Construction Diploma course at Helston Community College the students get taught a full range of construction industry skills whilst working alongside fully qualified tradesmen with the aim to gain skills to equip them for further education or employment.

As a business, we are committed to the training and development of new entrants to the housebuilding industry. Last year we were recognised as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer in the Government’s annual rankings.

17 year old, Owen Baxter, was one of the students who spent time at the Eve Parc development and said:

“It was great to visit the site and see how the skills we are learning in college will help us when it comes to finding work within the construction industry.

“We had chance to ask lots of questions and I now feel that I properly understand the different stages of house building.”

The students were shown around the Eve Parc development by the Site Manager, Tristan Marshall, and Regional Apprenticeship Manager, Andy Wallis.

Commenting on the visit Regional Apprenticeship Manager, Andy Wallis said:

“It is critical that we give young people in Cornwall the real life experience of a live site during their studies, so they are both better prepared for the world of work and gain an insight into the different aspects of construction.

“With our growing presence in Cornwall, we are always keen to support these types of visits for local colleges as we build more homes for local people, and we look forward to welcoming more young people for visits in the future.”

The Eve Parc development in Falmouth offers a range of 2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes. Alongside the homes, Persimmon is also providing over £1 million towards road improvements and local education in the local area.