CONSTRUCTION students at Wiltshire College & University Centre Chippenham campus rounded off the academic year by taking part in a three-day Construction Skills Competition that challenged them to work together, solve problems and experience the realities of life in the construction industry.
Working in mixed teams within the College’s industry-standard workshops, Level 1 and Level 2 students from plumbing, carpentry and bench joinery collaborated to complete the fit-out of a utility room. Following the same first-fix and second-fix stages used on construction sites, students planned the work, coordinated with different trades and completed each stage to a professional standard.
The challenge brought together students from different courses and levels, many of whom had not worked together before. Over the three days they built new friendships, shared their knowledge and discovered how different trades rely on one another to complete a successful project.
Throughout the event, local employers and industry organisations visited the College to watch the students in action, speak with them about careers and see first-hand the high standard of work being produced. Representatives from CITB, Business West and The Links also attended, strengthening links between education and industry.
Deputy Head of Construction and the Built Environment, Mel Sweetman, said: “By bringing together students from different courses and levels, the competition gave them the opportunity to experience how construction projects are delivered in industry while building relationships with people they hadn’t worked with before. It has been fantastic to watch them grow in confidence, support one another and produce work to such a high standard over the three days.”
Alongside the utility room challenge, bricklaying students completed their own end-of-year activities, including a blind bricklaying challenge where teammates relied entirely on verbal instructions and a relay race to beat their tutors while working against the clock. The challenges helped develop communication, coordination and practical hand skills in a fun and competitive environment.
Reflecting on the competition, Head of Construction and the Built Environment, Stephen Gingell, said: “Over the three days, the students demonstrated not only excellent practical skills but also the teamwork and collaboration that are essential in the construction industry. Every trade relies on another, and seeing students support each other, rise to the challenge and produce such a high standard of work has been fantastic. They should all be incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved.”
Following the competition, prizes were presented to the highest-scoring teams, recognising their technical ability, teamwork and professionalism. One of the winning students was Level 2 Plumbing student Murtaza Nasiri, 18, from Melksham.
Murtaza said: “The competition taught me what it’s really like to work on a construction site with other people. We had to work together, help each other and make sure we finished the job as a team.
“I want to become a plumber, and this has given me experience that will help me in the future.”
As the final challenge of the academic year, the competition gave students the chance to put everything they had learned into practice before breaking up for the summer. While many will return to College in September to continue developing their skills, others now leave ready to begin apprenticeships and careers in the construction industry, taking with them valuable experience, greater confidence and new friendships built along the way.
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