Students training in Construction trades at Wiltshire College & University Centre were given a behind-the-scenes look at the new Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre earlier this month.
Learners from Carpentry and Painting & Decorating courses visited the live construction site on 1 and 2 October to gain hands-on experience of a major local project in progress.
Kitted out in hard hats, hi-vis jackets and steel-capped boots, they were shown around the soon-to-be completed health and care facility and encouraged to ask on-site workers about their various trades and how to get ahead in the construction industry.
The new centre is being built by Tilbury Douglas for the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), with construction expected to finish early next year.
Paul Gilmore, Deputy Head of Construction at Wiltshire College & University Centre said: “Visits like this bring classroom learning to life and give students a real sense of the standards, teamwork and professionalism expected in the industry. We’re grateful to Tilbury Douglas for opening up its site to our learners – partnerships like this are vital in preparing the next generation of skilled tradespeople.”
The visits are part of contractor Tilbury Douglas’ commitment to working with education providers and opening up career pathways for younger people in the construction industry.
Paul Gale, Regional Director – South West at Tilbury Douglas, said: “We’re passionate about encouraging young people into construction at Tilbury Douglas and growing our own talent. Opening up our sites for local students to provide a real workplace experience is an effective way for young people to gain insight into how we work, the roles available, and the exciting projects underway in their communities.”
He added that the company was delighted to partner with both the College and the ICB to inspire future tradespeople while supporting a major project that will benefit local people for years to come.
The new Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre is set to replace the town’s existing community hospital and act as a hub for multiple health and care services. Having passionate and local students witness the project was a big step in helping them see first-hand how their classroom learning translates into real-world projects that benefit their community.
Caroline Holmes, Interim Executive Lead for Community, Planned Care and Cancer at the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “Integrated care is all about putting more services back into the community, so it is only right to have the community with us every step of the way, and we were delighted for these students to be among the very first people to see inside the brand-new centre.”
The visit forms part of the College’s ongoing work to connect classroom learning with live industry environments, ensuring students gain meaningful experience and develop the confidence to succeed in their chosen trades.
Interested in learning a trade or starting your journey in construction?
Construction industries continue to grow rapidly in our region – so it’s the perfect time to learn a trade. Our Chippenham, Salisbury and Trowbridge campuses all feature a dedicated construction centre with bespoke workshops where you’ll learn from qualified staff with experience across the sector.
