Construction firm Carefoot PLC visited BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Civil Engineering students at the Pagefield centre to undertake mock interviews.

Based at the College’s Centre of Excellence in Engineering, the construction company provided an invaluable experience for students interested in the industry to gain interview skills and receive advice and feedback from their performance.

Managing Director, Colin Carefoot said: “It’s good for employers such as ourselves to come in and put something back into the industry and we may seek to employ someone we meet today.”

The Preston based company specialises in the educational, health, commercial, leisure, ecclesiastical, retail and residential markets in both the public and private sector and have recently been heavily involved in the refurbishment of the nearby Robin Park arena.They tested our students’ interview skills out by asking them about their strengths and weaknesses and examples of how they’ve worked in a team before.

The College’s FAB Futures team have set up good relations with the company with a view to allow site visits for our students along with work experience opportunities.

Sam Duxbury, Health & Safety Manager at Carefoot PLC, added: “We want to get young people interested in construction so it’s beneficial for us to help promote what is a big skills gap at the moment. There are plenty of fantastic opportunities in this industry.”

Liam Robinson, who is in his second year of his course, and considering a degree apprenticeship when he finishes, had a very productive interview where he made a good impression with the employers.

“It’s always good to meet different people and gain more contacts so it’s been a good experience,” Liam added.

Lecturer Moslem Abdolahi Zadeh added: ‘’Students gained an invaluable hands-on experience of a real-life interview and enjoyed taking part in the event.

"The representatives of Carefoot PLC were equally impressed with the standard, quality and knowledge of our learners and they are considering offering two positions within their company e.g. an estimator and a planner trainee.’’

“Having these opportunities arranged by the College is crucial in developing our students’ employability skills.”