Leading construction firms including Chartered Building Companies Bardsley Construction and Conlon Construction are supporting a new Architectural and Construction Engineering (ACE) Scholarship in Construction and The Built Environment for 16-18 year olds at The Manchester College.
The two CBCs were joined by Kier Regional Building North West, Lovells and Vinci Construction UK as the first to sign up to the Level 3 Architectural and Construction Engineering Scholarship. They will sponsor students aged 16 to 18 throughout the two-year programme. The first intake started in September 2019.
The programme is designed to provide the necessary skills and real-life experience for a career in the architectural and construction engineering sector. It will include the co-delivery of industry-designed bespoke modules, masterclass sessions from industry experts, and an extended 45-day industry placement programme to convert theory into practice.
“The 45-day placements help us to influence the skills and attributes our industry needs in its future employees.”
Lara Da Rocha-Faria, Kier Regional Building North West
Theory is complemented by a full range of related field trips, covering areas of the sector such as transportation, infrastructure, civil engineering, sustainable energy and urban regeneration.
Chris Wright, assistant principal for automotive construction engineering and logistics at the college, said: “A range of co-designed bespoke modules, such as Digital and BIM Modelling, Modern Methods of Construction, Pre Construction, Social Value and Sustainability, enhance the Level 3 BTEC Extended National Diploma and really bring the scholarship to life.”
Successful applicants will receive a £300 bursary each year and a free tablet console to support and develop independent learning. Students will also benefit from an international student exchange in the second year.
Lara Da Rocha-Faria, corporate social responsibility manager at Kier Regional Building North West, speaking on behalf of Kier, Bardsley Construction, Conlon Construction, Lovells and Vinci Construction UK, said: “As a group of constructors we are very excited to help shape the future curriculum for our industry. The 45-day placements help us to influence the skills and attributes our industry needs in its future employees and upskill Greater Manchester’s residents.
“Working with the tutors at the college to co-design and co-deliver bespoke modules allows us to better align and connect the real world of work with further education.”
