Construction students at Wiltshire College & University Centre have been given a taste of working on a real building project during a three-day skills competition designed to prepare them for apprenticeships and employment.
Students studying plumbing, carpentry and bench joinery at the College's Chippenham campus worked together in mixed teams to complete the fit-out of a utility room, following the same first-fix and second-fix stages used on construction sites.
The challenge brought together Level 1 and Level 2 students, many of whom had not worked together before, giving them the opportunity to develop teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills while gaining experience of how different trades collaborate on site.
Throughout the competition, local employers and industry organisations visited the College to watch the students in action and discuss career opportunities. Representatives from CITB, Business West and The Links also attended.
Mel Sweetman, Deputy Head of Construction and the Built Environment, 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 project, bricklaying students took part in their own end-of-year challenges, including a blind bricklaying task, where teammates relied on verbal instructions, and a relay race against their tutors.
Stephen Gingell, Head of Construction and the Built Environment, 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."
The competition ended with a prize-giving ceremony recognising all of the teams, with awards presented to the highest-scoring groups following assessments by College staff and industry representatives.
Among the winners was 18-year-old plumbing student Murtaza Nasiri, from Melksham, whose team impressed the judges throughout the competition.
He 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."
The event marked the final practical challenge of the academic year, with some students returning in September to continue their studies while others move on to apprenticeships and careers in the construction industry.
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