Bath College students headed out of the classroom into the workplace to visit building sites and factory shop floors during employability week.
Students studying carpentry, engineering, plumbing and stonemasonry took part in the week, organised by the college’s technology department.
They had the chance to meet employers, who visited the college to lead talks, and were offered CV writing, skill building and interview workshops.
A wide range of students studying at different levels gained a valuable insight into the types of tools used in their trades.
In the engineering department, Level 2 students were given a tour of Rotork in Bath and a talk about the company’s apprenticeship programme.
Engineering and plumbing students spent a day with HMRC volunteers and took part in mock interviews, role-play and team building activities.
For plumbing students, the week included a day with Horstmann Plumbing, when they had the opportunity to handle the latest plumbing components.
Students studying carpentry travelled to Bishops Sutton, where H Mealing & Sons is building five new primary school classrooms.
They also visited Interesting Timbers, a family owned business between Bath and Wells producing air dried and kiln dried English timber.
Level 1 stonemasonry students took a trip to Hayes Wood Quarry, Farleigh Masonry and Wells Cathedral Stonemasons Ltd – based in Cheddar.
Students toured Cirencester Chapel, which is being re-built using traditional methods, as well as the Dundas Aqueduct on the Kennet and Avon Canal.
This Autumn, Level 2 stonemasonry students are volunteering at Woodchester Mansions and they continued working there during employability week.
The mansion, in Gloucestershire, is an unfinished Gothic Revival mansion – a Grade I listed building which was abandoned mid-project.
Students are honing their practical skills by undertaking supervised restoration and renovation stonemasonry work set by the trust.
Head of Technology Daisy Walsh said: “Employability week gives students a valuable insight into the world of work.
“In the technology department, we work very closely with local employers to make sure students have the relevant skills and training needed to secure jobs.
“Employability week allows students to meet employers and see what they are looking for in terms of skills, qualifications and work ethic.
“It’s an inspiring time for them which helps them to visualise the kind of place they might work in the future.”
