Budding builders get hands-on in skills challenge
Students from three Bradford schools showcased their business skills in a building competition run by Incommunities.
The Interbuild Skills event brought together budding builders from Carlton Bolling College, Oastlers School and Grange Technology College.
The Year 9 and 10 students worked in teams to test their planning, design and marketing skills in a practical exercise. On the day the team members were assigned different business roles.
The challenge took place at the housing group’s Construction Training Centre under the guidance of trade professionals and apprentices from Incommunities.
The Carlton Bolling team made a range of wildlife 'homes' for birds, bats, bees, hedgehogs and insects using recycled wood.
They worked on a business plan to create a flat pack solution that could be easily assembled.
Aleem Uddin Mohammed, took the role of project manager and said: "We wanted to create a product that people could make for their garden to help protect local wildlife.
"The competition has really made me think about the technical side of putting together a product."
Majid Bashir was one of four construction students from Grange Technology College who made a mini greenhouse from recycled bottles and wood.
Majid said: "It’s been great to put into practice many of the skills I’m learning on my course."
The Oastlers School team completed the biggest structures of the day – a vertical garden to grow herbs and a greenhouse made from old plastic bottles.
The team’s project manager Rolanda Edwards said: "We’ve all worked together to come up with this design that has made use of recycled materials. The team’s enjoyed the day."
Geraldine Howley, Incommunities’ Group Chief Executive, said: "The competition has opened the eyes of these local students into the world of work and the different skills needed.
"As a major local employer we are committed to encouraging boys and girls to realise their ambitions. The Interbuild challenge will hopefully prove an inspiring legacy for them as they explore their career options."
Tony Thompson, Incommunities’ Construction Skills Manager, said: "It’s been great to see these young students go head to head and rise to the challenge set.
"Hopefully, for some of those taking part today’s competition will prove an important first step towards building an exciting career."
The overall standard shown by each team was very high and the eventual winners were Carlton Bolling College.