Building futures: Work experience week at Oldbury
On Monday 11 May, we welcomed two work experience students, Riley and Alfie Carrington-Porter, to our M5 Oldbury site for a week of hands-on learning with our site team.
The week began with a comprehensive site and HSEQ induction, ensuring the students gained a clear understanding of the project and the importance of working safely within a live construction environment. As part of their placement, they were set the task of completing a set of Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS), encouraging them to gather new knowledge and apply their learning throughout the week.
On Tuesday the students visited our Droitwich Depot, where they were introduced to a wide range of plant machinery and learned about the important role they play in delivering our projects. They also saw our V-Deck™ system, gaining an understanding of its advantages over traditional scaffolding methods. During their visit, they spent time with our Health and Safety advisor, learning about key processes including eco online, close call reporting and COSHH.
Midweek, the students had the opportunity to get out on site and see some works taking place. They supported the team with a site inspection and quality checks, gaining valuable insight into how we maintain high standards across our projects. They also had a session on the commercial side of construction, helping them to understand the wider business and financial elements.
To round off the week, the students met with our Cathodic Protection manager, who introduced them to the specialist field, explaining what Cathodic Protection is, how it works and why it is critical in protecting infrastructure. The students also presented the RAMS they had developed during their placement, receiving feedback from the team and reflecting on that they had learned.
The week concluded with a discussion, with our site manager, about their future aspirations, giving them the opportunity to ask questions and gain advice on potential career pathways within the industry.
"My work experience with VolkerLaser gave me a great insight into the construction industry and what happens on site each day. I really enjoyed seeing the work being carried out in real life, which helped me decide that joinery is something I’d like to pursue in the future."
Alfie Carrington-Porter
"During my work experience, I gained a strong understanding of how important safety is on a construction site. I particularly enjoyed seeing the team working together, which gave me a clearer picture of the different roles in the industry and helped me think about my future career."
Riley Carrington-Porter
