We’ve been pleased to support T-Level student Elliot Lloyd from Shrewsbury Colleges Group, London Road campus on his placement with us at Lawley Village Academy, where we’ve been delivering a classroom and nursery extension to enhance learning spaces for local children.
As part of his time with us, Elliot has been working closely with our site team, shadowing site manager Simon Gough and apprentice site manager, Joe Harrison, gaining first-hand experience of a live construction environment. We caught up with him to hear more about his journey so far.
What’s been your favourite part of the placement?
“My favourite part has definitely been meeting new people and learning about what each trade does at different stages of the project,” Elliot said. “Shadowing Simon and Joe has also been really interesting. People are always happy to explain things I’m unfamiliar with, which makes the experience much more engaging and enjoyable.”
Describe a typical day on site?
“No two days are ever quite the same, but I usually start by walking around the site with either Simon or Joe, who update me on the latest developments since my last visit. I often spend time with Joe reviewing drawings for upcoming stages of the project, and then get to see those plans come to life the following week.
Sometimes I’ll get involved in hands-on tasks too. For example, on a recent visit, I helped Joe remove a section of plasterboard so timber batons could be installed behind it to support a door frame. I also observe how Joe communicates with different trades to resolve queries and manage the site which gives me a great overview of how a project comes together.”
What skills have you developed with us?
“I’ve really improved my professional communication skills by watching how Simon and Joe interact with subcontractors. They’re always polite and clear, which helps build strong working relationships and keeps the site running smoothly.”
Pictured: Elliot Lloyd and Joe Harrison
What’s been the most valuable lesson so far?
“It’s hard to pick just one because I’m learning new things all the time. But if I had to choose, I’d say the importance of perseverance. Things don’t always go to plan on site, but I’ve learned a lot from seeing how calmly and professionally the site managers respond to challenges – they never just leave problems for someone else to sort out.”
How have Joe and Simon supported your development?
“Both Joe and Simon have been brilliant. They’re always available to answer my questions and explain things clearly, which really helps build my confidence and adds to my academic development.”
Have you faced any challenges during your placement?
“Yes, one of the trickier moments was when subcontractors asked me questions about site layouts or where something needed to go, but Joe was always nearby and would help me refer to the drawings to understand what needed doing. It’s been a great way to learn.”
We’re very proud to support the next generation of construction professionals through our T-Level and apprenticeship programmes. A big thank you to Elliot for his enthusiasm and hard work, and to the entire team on site for creating such a positive learning environment.
