A GCSE student from Redcar has built up his work experience thanks to Coast & Country Housing and one of its partners, Galliford Try Partnership North.
Harrison Keegan, 15, a student at Sacred Heart School, spent a week shadowing trainee site manager, Jonathan Williams, at The Dunes sites in Redcar, where a number of new homes are being built as part of the Redcare scheme.
During his stint on the site, Harrison turned his hand to several disciplines within the construction industry, including bricklaying, reviewing technical plans, quantity surveying and carrying out step-by-step health and safety assessments.
Jonathan Williams said: “We’re always keen to encourage the next generation to get a taste of the world of work and see how a construction site operates on a day-to-day basis. You can’t truly understand the amount of people, prior planning and preparation involved in completing a development until you see it first-hand.
“Harrison has impressed us during his week on-site. He’s tackled every job we’ve given him, from sweeping up, to brick laying, to working in the office with enthusiasm. I’m sure he’ll go far if he is still interested in a career within the construction industry, once he has completed his education.”
Harrison said: “I really enjoyed my work experience on the Redcare site. It was really interesting to see how homes are built from the ground-up and all the planning that goes into costing, designing and constructing buildings.
“Before I had any work experience, I had no idea what I wanted to do once I have left school, so it was good for me to get out and do something. I’m still not entirely sure what I want to do, but working on the sites has at least given me an insight into the different opportunities within construction.”
A venture between Coast & Country Housing, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Galliford Try Partnership North, Redcare developments are designed to offer homes for life. The Dunes development in Redcar is specially designed to meet the evolving needs of over-55s with in-built amenities, such as a hairdressing salon and a bistro, as well as a range of other services designed to help combat social isolation. There is also 24/7 access to on-site care and support services.
For more information please visit http://www.redcare-extracare.