Part of the Etc.
Construction students from Stockton Riverside College have proven that they are building the skills that matter.
The team of six construction students and apprentices represented the College at the Chartered Institute of Building's Novus Student Challenge and brought home the coveted Northern Winners' trophy.
"The students were fantastic and really stepped up to the challenge," said Bricklaying lecturer Alex Thompson.
“For most it was the first time they had met on the day, but they quickly got talking and worked really well as a team.”
The CIOB Novus Student Challenge is an annual event offering teams of up and coming construction learners the chance to go head-to-head in a one-day competition.
Given a live brief each group must work together to outline an action plan and then present their work back to a panel of judges.
“On the day the teams were given a brief of building an extension and refurbishing a six-storey building for student flats,” said Alex.
Working against the clock, the group had to plan the site, including the likes of organising where the crane and materials would go, while also taking into account health and safety.
“For those students who haven’t really been on a building site yet, to be asked to plan a site, really was a tough challenge,” said Alex.
But with a mixture of skills and disciplines, the Stockton Riverside College team worked together to share each individual’s strengths and expertise to win the title.
Making up the team were Level 3 Painting and Decorating students Chloe Johnson and Toby Matthews, Bricklaying Level 2 students Ryan Daley and Thomas Russell, and Construction and the Built Environment apprentices Rebecca Wooton and Tom Pearson.
“It wasn’t easy and time wise it was quite intense,” said Tom. “But the experience showed that the stuff we have learned is worth knowing.”
Rebecca added: “Because myself and Tom work on sites anyway meant that we had the knowledge from that.”
Both said waiting for the winners to be announced was “nerve wracking” and all were delighted to ultimately pick up the trophy.
The challenge took place at Hartlepool College of Further Education. The Stockton Riverside College team faced competition from teams representing Hartlepool FE, Middlesbrough College and New College Durham, to win the 2018 Northern Winners’ title.
Alex said: “I have been a tutor for 11 years and I think that this was my proudest day yet as a trade lecturer.”
Stockton Riverside College’s Head of Construction and Professional Services Michael Duffey said: “I couldn’t be more proud of the students. It is a real indication of where we are as a construction department, the standards that we set and teach and the knowledge that the students gain here.”
If you want to build the skills for a new career in construction check out our trade skills courses and apprenticeships:
Bricklaying
Construction
Electrical
Joinery
Painting and Decorating
Apply now!
The team of six construction students and apprentices represented the College at the Chartered Institute of Building's Novus Student Challenge and brought home the coveted Northern Winners' trophy.
"The students were fantastic and really stepped up to the challenge," said Bricklaying lecturer Alex Thompson.“For most it was the first time they had met on the day, but they quickly got talking and worked really well as a team.”
The CIOB Novus Student Challenge is an annual event offering teams of up and coming construction learners the chance to go head-to-head in a one-day competition.
Given a live brief each group must work together to outline an action plan and then present their work back to a panel of judges.
“On the day the teams were given a brief of building an extension and refurbishing a six-storey building for student flats,” said Alex.
Working against the clock, the group had to plan the site, including the likes of organising where the crane and materials would go, while also taking into account health and safety.
“For those students who haven’t really been on a building site yet, to be asked to plan a site, really was a tough challenge,” said Alex.
But with a mixture of skills and disciplines, the Stockton Riverside College team worked together to share each individual’s strengths and expertise to win the title.
Making up the team were Level 3 Painting and Decorating students Chloe Johnson and Toby Matthews, Bricklaying Level 2 students Ryan Daley and Thomas Russell, and Construction and the Built Environment apprentices Rebecca Wooton and Tom Pearson.“It wasn’t easy and time wise it was quite intense,” said Tom. “But the experience showed that the stuff we have learned is worth knowing.”
Rebecca added: “Because myself and Tom work on sites anyway meant that we had the knowledge from that.”
Both said waiting for the winners to be announced was “nerve wracking” and all were delighted to ultimately pick up the trophy.
The challenge took place at Hartlepool College of Further Education. The Stockton Riverside College team faced competition from teams representing Hartlepool FE, Middlesbrough College and New College Durham, to win the 2018 Northern Winners’ title.Alex said: “I have been a tutor for 11 years and I think that this was my proudest day yet as a trade lecturer.”
Stockton Riverside College’s Head of Construction and Professional Services Michael Duffey said: “I couldn’t be more proud of the students. It is a real indication of where we are as a construction department, the standards that we set and teach and the knowledge that the students gain here.”
If you want to build the skills for a new career in construction check out our trade skills courses and apprenticeships:
Bricklaying
Construction
Electrical
Joinery
Painting and Decorating
Apply now!
