New Somer Construction Centre at Bath College: Just two weeks left until building work is complete

Student Luke Nutland has just two weeks left working on Bath College’s new Construction Skills Centre as part of the site management team.

The new purpose-built facility, to be named the Somer Construction Centre, opens at the college’s Somer Valley Campus in September.

All construction trades will be taught under one roof, catering for 500 students and apprentices studying bricklaying, construction, carpentry and stonemasonry, as well as plumbing electrical installation and refrigeration.

Luke, 20, is studying for a Level 3 construction diplomaat Bath College, which prepares students for a career designing, building or managing construction projects.

Since January, he has also been working for Midas Group at the Somer Construction Centre, managing subcontractor packages for the building’s masonry, cladding, lifts, dry lining and carpentry.
 
He said: “In the last four months, the building has progressed massively, once we had the steel frame up, things moved very fast.
 
“There can be between 40 to 50 people on the site every day, and studying on the diploma course has given me an understanding of their jobs.
 
“I’m in charge of health and safety, and I make sure contractors complete their jobs correctly. I also talk to building regulations and liaise with building control who come out and tick off jobs.
 
“I’m taking what I’ve learnt in the classroom and applying it on site. I’ve progressed faster than everyone expected, because I’m on a small team, so I’ve had to step up to the mark. Seeing myself developing in that sense is very rewarding.”
 
Prospective students for 2018 can see the new Somer Construction Centre at Bath College’s open day on Thursday September 28th.
 
Places are still available for students who would like to be part of the first cohort learning a construction trade at the new centre in 2017.
 
Luke, who started at Bath College studying carpentry, is working towards becoming a qualified project manager and plans to progress to study at degree level on a HNC in construction, and later the HND.
 
He said: “Careers in construction are wide-ranging. When I left school, I didn’t think about management, so I did the carpentry course, but it’s something that people need to know – that there are lots of options out there.”
 
Daisy Walsh, Head of Department for Technology, said: “Students should grasp any opportunity offered to work in a construction environment.
 
“This will expose them to what the subject is about, and we can do the rest here at college. When you come to Bath College, you’ll be taught by people who are experts in their field, which will increase your knowledge and prepare you for your chosen career.
 
“Our Somer Construction Centre will be a fantastic place to learn, and after months of preparation and hard work, we’re looking forward to welcoming students in September.”