Work Experience Pays Dividends For College Student
A Construction student from Derby College made such an impression on a local business during his work experience placement that he has now clinched a coveted apprenticeship with the firm.
Ahmed Naseem (21) from Normanton was offered work experience by the College’s placement team with Hodgkinson Builders in Pride Park as part of his level three construction course at the Roundhouse vocational campus.
His contribution on site at Hodgkinson’s contract to refurbish the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham had already been favourably noticed by site management staff. But what really proved his work ethic was when he missed his lift to the site from his home and then paid £50 from his own pocket for a taxi to get him to work.
Company owner Ian Hodgkinson, who regularly offers work placements to Derby College students and currently has one other apprentice working with the 50-strong site teams, explained that this was one of the main reasons for offering Ahmed an apprenticeship with the firm.
Ian, who is a former student of Derby College, said: “We need young people with the right skills and work attitude as there is a real lack of good bricklayers in the jobs market.
“I am therefore a total believer in giving young people a helping hand onto the career ladder through work experience and particularly apprenticeships.
“This young man really proved his worth both on site and especially by using his initiative to get to work on this occasion having missed his lift.
“If everyone who came through the door had the same enthusiasm and work ethic as Ahmed, they would be offered a job here.”
Ahmed joined Derby College from Derby Moor Community School and worked his way up from level 1 to level 3 in Construction.
He said: “I was really grateful to have been given the chance of doing work experience and didn’t want to blow it by not turning up at work having missed my lift so got straight on the phone to book a taxi.
“I am so pleased to now have an apprenticeship and I want to work my way up through the company.
“Working on site as a brickie is a brilliant job and doesn’t feel like work. It is great to see what you have achieved at the end of every day and particularly good to be working on such an important project as the NIA in Birmingham.”
Derby College Work Placement Team Manager Gary Richardson concluded: “Work experience placements are now an integral part of all the College courses but we have been ahead of the game for many years and have solid links with employers in a wide range of industries from childcare to construction to provide students with placements.
“This summer alone, more than 40 students have gained jobs from their work placements and this number is set to grow year on year.”
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