Inspiring Future Generations

Inspiring the Future Generation

4th March 2021

Procured through the SCF framework, Willmott Dixon are currently working on The Institute of Technology building (also known as the Digital and Data Centre) at Exeter College. The centre will help train the next generation of digital professionals. Delivered as part of the wider South West Institute of Technology (SWIOT) the centre will offer courses on data analytics, cyber security, and software development. It will spearhead the digital skills revolution across the region.

Located on the college’s Hele Road campus in the centre of Exeter, the start of the art facility interfaces seamlessly into the existing ‘Hele building’ which is also being refurbished to house the new digital TLevel students. Located in a Conversation Area with a nearby ancient monument and listed buildings, the centre will be a landmark building for the College.

Wilmott Dixon have built up a strong relationship with Exeter College and have worked very closely with an array of their students to encourage them to interact with the team during the build process. One of these interactions was the recent collaboration between a group of Media Studies students and the Willmott Dixon site team. The aim of the project was to produce a COVID on site safety video which would be filmed and edited by the students and would be used companywide at Willmott Dixon. We had two trainee managers as the main actors in the video and the students were then tasked with setting up, organising, putting together and editing as part of their course experience.
We have received some lovely feedback from Dean Ferris, Media and Performing Arts Lecturer:

As many are aware, the new Tlevel qualification was launched this September and Exeter College was one of the first to trial the new Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction course. As part of the course, the students are required to do a minimum of nine weeks on industry placement. In November 2020, the site team took on two Tlevel students who were undertaking a one day a week work placement on site understanding the fundamentals of construction including management, commercial, planning and design. Unfortunately, in January 2021 due to lockdown, the students had to postpone their onsite work experience due to COVID. As a company, we decided we wanted to continue to keep that relationship going with all the Tlevel students so weekly careers talks were arranged from various industry processionals. These talks consisted of a day to day diary, guidance on how to get into that role, what role they play in the construction process and a detailed explanation of their impact on the Digital and Data Centre. We provided talks from a Construction Manager, a Quantity Surveyor, a Planning Manager, a Trainee Build Manager and the main Architects (AWW) who designed the building. We are due to host a Design Manager, a BIM Manager, and an Environmental Manager in the coming weeks. Once the lockdown restrictions are lifted, we have been asked to devise a planning task and deliver this in house to the students as part of the course.
We have been lucky enough to receive the following feedback from Robin Goodman, Construction Tlevel lead:

One of the most important things to Willmott Dixon is inspiring the future generations to consider construction as an industry of choice. One of the ways we can do this is by working closely with the college apprenticeship team and supporting them with placements. Although we do not currently take on any trade apprentices, we work with our supply chain to encourage and support them with taking on new entries. The site team at Exeter College have recently interviewed a selection of carpentry, electrical and plumbing pre-apprenticeship students with the hope of introducing them to our supply chain and creating relationships to allow them to work together.