Link road education programmes
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- Created on Monday, 21 May 2012 15:30
South Devon College is gateway for Galliford Try Link Road education programmes
South Devon College has signed a ground breaking partnership agreement with Galliford Try, the main contractor for the South Devon Link Road, to support the company and its supply chain for all the many education and training opportunities arising from the high profile construction and civil engineering project.
The project provides a wonderful chance for learners in schools and the College to learn more at first hand about the construction industry and the varied issues which a company leading such a major project has to deal with. The College will be organising activities for school and College learners ranging from site visits and guest speakers, to in-depth curriculum projects working directly with Galliford Try staff and work experience. There will also be opportunities for apprenticeships, including in the core Galliford Try project management team.
The partnership is the result of a long standing relationship between Galliford Try and South Devon College; the Chief Executive, Greg Fitzgerald, is a former student of the College and has been very supportive of the College, including opening the College’s Construction building in 2006.
Under the terms of the partnership, the College will provide Galliford Try with opportunities and venues to liaise with the general public for consultations and recruitment. The College’s links with Job Centre Plus, the Sector Based Work Academy Programme and Work clubs will also prove invaluable in helping Galliford Try and its supply chain to recruit and train the staff they need.
Both Galliford Try and the College are very excited about how this partnership will impact on training and education throughout the age range, from primary schools to university level, including the wider community in Torbay and South Devon. The partnership also forms a core part of the proposed University Technology College based at Newton Abbot, which focuses on engineering, water and the environment, of which Galliford Try is a full partner.
The partnership agreement was developed by Adele Dawson, Head of Department at the College and Jim Watson, Project Director for Galliford Try, and signed off by the College Principal Stephen Criddle and Galliford Try Chief Executive Greg Fitzgerald.
“South Devon College is always looking for innovative and interesting ways to improve and develop the employability of full time students and to make their courses as interesting as possible. The South Devon Link Road project will provide many opportunities to engage both College learners and school students on a civil engineering project on an inspirational scale. We are very grateful Galliford Try are so willing to support the local education sector in this way, with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” said Adele Dawson, Head of Department at South Devon College.
Jim Watson, Project Director at Galliford Try said “We are always looking at ways to work with the local community and so we are very happy to support South Devon College in their endeavour to interest school students and College learners in civil engineering and construction. Hopefully this will inspire more young people to consider careers in this very exciting sector.”
