Carpentry students at EKC Sheppey College are already showcasing their new skills in their first week, with an exclusive visit to major Construction company Knauf UK’s headquarters in Sittingbourne.
The visit marked the students’ first practical experience outside the classroom, with exciting opportunities to meet industry professionals.
Knauf, who are a global leader in construction materials, with operations in over 90 countries, invited our students in for a full day of hands-on learning challenges, including mudding and tapering plasterboard joints.
They also learnt about fire test standards, health and safety, products and systems and changes to the construction industry – all important skills and topics for aspiring builders and carpenters. Learners then got a behind-the-scenes look at Knauf’s spray plaster finishing system, which is a valuable tool for builders.
Level 2 Carpentry student, Mitchel, appreciated the hands-on nature of the day, and enjoyed being introduced to new topics in a real-life practical environment.
He said: “This visit was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken part in. It’s boosted my confidence by introducing me to new tasks in a real-life environment. When we returned to the College workshop, I had a clearer idea of what I needed to work on to improve my skills. The structure of the day was great, too, with clear instructions followed by practical tasks. The lunch was a nice bonus!”
Jim Simpson, Knauf’s Head of Product Services, led the training session, guiding the learners to develop their skills and understand what it takes to become successful in the construction industry.
He looks forward to continuing this work with the College in the future, saying: “Working with EKC Sheppey College to give students a glimpse into the industry, and insights into Drywall has been an honour for both myself and Knauf. All of them came in with a positive attitude, fully engaging in all that was discussed and asked of them.
“Now more than ever, we need to do all we can to pass on our knowledge and guidance to students at the beginning of their learning journey.”
For Level 2 Carpentry student Rhashaun, the training session was his favourite part of the day, and he really enjoyed the practical approach to learning. He said: “I have really enjoyed the day. I’ve been competing against my classmates in plastering activities and solving practical challenges, which has been a good opportunity to apply what I’ve just learnt.”
This visit is a part of an ongoing partnership between EKC Sheppey College and Knauf. Earlier this summer, EKC Sheppey College Principal, Alexandra Syrotiuk, visited the company and participated in some of the activities herself.
She said: “It’s important that our learners engage with local employers like Knauf UK & Ireland so that they understand what is possible within the industry they are studying. The visits this week have been a fantastic opportunity for them to get valuable insight into industry standards and practices. A big thank you goes to Jim Simpson and Knauf for hosting our students. They all had a great time and they’re looking forward to further planned visits in the next couple of weeks.”
Students were praised for their attentiveness, and detail to the tasks, as they were fully engaged throughout the day.
For some students, like Aston, this is the start of something bigger, as he is particularly excited about the next trip. He said: “It would be great to get another trip like this as it builds our experience and lets us learn in an industry environment. I learn much better when I have things to do rather than just listening to instructions and it was good to see how we can make an impact in this industry.”
With a wealth of trips and activities planned for our Construction students this year, they will never be short of new challenges and exciting opportunities to rise to the challenge.
If you’d like to learn more about starting a Construction course at EKC Sheppey College, you can explore our courses today.
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