The latest cohort of students are making great progress in industry training across the South of England with construction firm Beard.
Seven students are undertaking a year of on-the-job training across the company’s offices in Bristol, Swindon, Guildford and Southampton, supported by experienced Beard colleagues.
The programme is part of the growing firm’s long-standing commitment to nurturing talent in the construction sector. Inspiring and developing rewarding careers is a core part of the fourth-generation family-owned business’ ethos and a key pillar in its social value framework.
Head of People and Communications, Melissa Barber, said: “We’re proud to invest in the next generation of professionals as they lay the foundations for rewarding careers in construction.
“By 2028, 250,000 extra construction workers will be required to meet industry demand, according to figures from the Construction Industry Training Board. So it is vital that, as an industry, we support new talent with training, guidance and mentorship and address the rising demand for skilled professionals in the industry.
“The placement year is just one way we support entrants to the sector. We run a successful trainee programme, offer graduate opportunities, and work in partnership with education providers.”
This year also marks the first time Beard has hosted a Masters student as part of the year in industry programme. Amber Kamugisha, who is studying Architecture at University of Exeter, joins Beard’s design team as she completes her post-graduate degree.
The placement programme has already garnered positive feedback from this year’s students.
Izzy Scanlan, a Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management student at Oxford Brookes University, undertaking her placement at Beard’s Guildford office, said: “The work has been really varied so far. From learning how to use cutting-edge new software to measuring cladding, I’ve been able to see the process that goes into a build – from the foundations to the final result.
“The team at Beard have been really welcoming, with a real focus on people as well as places. I couldn’t recommend the placement more, especially for women hoping to get into construction.”
Mitch Burton is a Quantity Surveying student at Oxford Brookes University based at Beard’s Southampton office. He said: “The placement has been a great introduction to the construction industry. I can practically apply the theory I’ve learned on my Quantity Surveying course to real projects, which has given me a much broader understanding.
“The Beard team has offered lots of guidance and support, and I’m looking forward to taking on more responsibilities during my year with them. I wanted to go into construction because it feels like you’re working towards a tangible goal, which will have a real benefit on people and communities.”
Often, this placement year is only the beginning of a successful career with Beard, as many of the construction trainees return to university with an offer of employment after graduation.
This year’s trainees include:
Mitch Burton: Quantity Surveying, Oxford Brookes University – Southampton office.
Finlay Eaton: Construction Project Management, University of West of England – Bristol office.
James Hall: Mechanical Engineering, University of Exeter – Swindon office.
Izzy Scanlan: Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management, Oxford Brookes University – Guildford office.
Jack Thomas: Construction Project Management, Oxford Brookes University – Guildford office.
Jacob Thornton: Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management, University of West of England – Bristol office.
Amber Kamugisha: Architecture, University of Exeter – Swindon office.
