Construction students secure apprenticeships after highly successful work placements

Four students from New City College’s Construction & Engineering Centre in Rainham have recently become the first to complete highly successful work placements with the Breyer Group – thanks to a fantastic partnership with a former student.

The students, who were all studying the Level 3 BTEC Construction & the Built Environment course, were offered the opportunity thanks to ex-student Dan Williamson, who is now Breyer’s Commercial Manager.

Dan said: “As a student, I completed my BTEC at the college and went on to work for Breyer who supported my education through funding and a day release programme. I really appreciated the opportunities that Breyer gave me, so I was keen to offer similar opportunities to other New City College students.

“Because of their strong focus on social value, Breyer was more than happy to support this and recognised that it was also an opportunity to find and grow talented new team members.”

The four NCC students who undertook the six-month, two-day-a-week work experience opportunity were Ron Terholli, Jamie Hill, D’Andre Nichols and Johanna Jade Bispham.

At the end of the placement, Ron was offered a Site Manager Apprenticeship at Breyer’s Hackney site, Jamie was offered a Quantity Surveying Apprenticeship at Breyer’s head office in Romford, D’Andre was also offered a Quantity Surveying Apprenticeship at head office, but decided to take up a university place with a view to returning when he has his degree, and first year student Johanna is continuing into her second year with a Quantity Surveying work placement.

Jane Nugent, Work Experience & Industry Placement Coordinator at NCC, said: “This partnership between NCC and Breyer has been so successful that we’re developing it across other departments for future apprentices.

“The training and experience that our students have had through these real-life work placements is invaluable and I’m excited to see the positive impact that it’s already having on their future careers. I cannot thank Breyer and our alumni student Dan Williamson enough.”

With over 400 employees and 60 years’ experience, Breyer is one of the industry’s leading principal contractors specialising in roofing, construction, responsive repairs and maintenance.

See all the courses New City College runs at the new £15m Construction & Engineering campus in Rainham. If you’re interested in a Quantity Surveyor role or trainee position with Breyer, please contact [email protected]