This week we have been taking part in hosting Taster Days to support the new Construction Degree Apprenticeships being set up by University of Kent, in association with Canterbury College.
We welcomed students from three Kent schools in to our office and gave them a glimpse into the kind of experiences and opportunities that exist for those who might be interested in the surveying profession. We were joined by year 13 students from Abbey School, Folkestone Academy and Victory School, Chatham.
We started with a presentation by our Director, Paul Gannaway, followed by a hands on session looking at the various aspects of construction and design. We then had a look at the Quantity Surveyors role in our current education project at Barton Court Grammar School. This was followed by the students donning high-vis and hard hats and getting out onto the site at Barton Court. The site tour, generously hosted by the contractor, Jenner, gave the students a real idea of what the Construction Industry is all about.
The afternoon session, saw the students visit the University of Kent campus, with a tour of completed projects, including Sibson Building, Templeman Library, Colyer-Fergusson Music Building and Jarman School of Arts; all projects which Betteridge & Milsom were involved in. They also had a quick stop at the School of Architecture, and a glimpse of the Crit Building, designed by Kent practice, Guy Hollaway Architects. The day drew to a close with a Q&A session with the students in the Sibson Building, home of Kent Business School and SMSAS.
The day was a great success and we hope that is has inspired students to consider Surveying as a career. Feedback has been great, with comments such as “one of the best trips I had been on” and that “it was inspiring
listening to Paul so passionately talk about his field of work”.
For more information about Degree Apprenticeships in Kent, see https://www.kent.ac.uk/apprenticeships/