Construction students get a taste of the industry

Construction students from The Billericay School spent Tuesday morning with contractors on site learning about the industry.

They were shown around by representatives of Sempra Homes and the Wickford-based firm Indecon Building Ltd, the company selected to develop 15 semi-detached and terraced houses in Roman Way, Billericay.

The properties at Roman Way site will be a combination of two, three and four-bedroom houses.

In total, three of the homes will be available for affordable rent with six available for shared ownership and six for market sale. Completion on site is expected in autumn.

A new road providing access to the properties from neighbouring School Road is included in the development alongside 31 car parking spaces, 30 cycle spaces and two coach spaces for use by neighbouring Billericay School. Sempra Homes brought forward the proposals in close liaison with the school, which supports the development. Cllr Andrew Baggott, leader of Basildon Council, said: “This was a valuable experience for local school pupils to see the inner workings of a live construction site and I am pleased we have been able to work with our contractor to offer this opportunity which will certainly aid their studies.”

Sempra Homes Manager, Melanie Keys said: “Through our construction contracts we ensure opportunities are given for local employment and training. Building skills within the construction industry in turn helps to support Basildon’s wider economy. It was great to show the students around the site to support their learning and I look forward to the next visit.”

Matt Brett, from the Billericay school added:  “On the behalf of the students and staff who have visited the site on Roman Way, I would like to say a huge thank you. “It was a great opportunity for demonstrating how a site should be run and how the theory the students are learning in class can be transferred into practice. The group of students I saw today were able to link the knowledge acquired from the site to the theory during the lesson using examples from their visit. This is something a book just cannot do.

“I look forward to following the progress of the development and the next visit.”

Working in partnership with the council, and its construction contractors, Sempra is providing apprentice placements to local residents and will continue to provide work experience to students from the local schools that are undertaking construction related learning.

For further information about Sempra Homes, visit the website www.semprahomes.co.uk