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School work: Planning for the future
We want to make sure that local residents have access to the jobs, apprenticeships and training programmes available across the Park.
We’re bringing together industry-leading businesses with local schools and colleges to develop innovative approaches to learning that give young people the best chance of a great career once they leave education.
We’re delivering programmes such as Design...Engineer…Construct! that address skills gaps in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). We’re promoting exciting and varied careers ranging from building information modelling (BIM) in construction through to the creative, media and digital sectors. By connecting local schools and employers we can help young east Londoners from diverse backgrounds to prepare for the world of work.
We want to reach the next generation of school children and inspire their academic choices and career paths from a much earlier age. We want to work with schools and employers to stretch ambitions and broaden their horizons.
Case studies
Kingsley Owusu-Ware, Digital Engineering Apprentice Level 3 with Costain
Kingsley achieved a grade A* in his level 2 Design, Engineer, Construct (DEC) course which he completed in 2017 at Newham College giving him a sound foundation in a variety of subjects from engineering principles to 3D software. The DEC! course enabled him to build up an engineering portfolio to present to potential employers and gave him a deeper understanding of the engineering industry.
On completion of his course, Kingsley has progressed into a Digital Engineering apprenticeship with Costain working on the Thames Tideway Project, a joint venture consisting of Costain, Bachy Soletanche and Vinci (CVB). It is currently among one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Europe with a tunnel that is under-construction spanning 25 km -70m deep running under the tidal sections of the River Thames through central London. The aim of the project is to construct a super sewer that will provide capture, storage and conveyance of the raw sewage that currently flows into the Thames.
Kingsley assists the Building Information Modelling (BIM) team with the task of integrating BIM into the project. BIM is an intelligent 3D model-based process that gives construction professionals the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure. Kingsley’s responsibilities range from creating 2D to 3D drawings & models that that the wider construction team would use out on site to enable them to do their job more effectively and helps improve efficiency, allowing site operations to have dependable up to date information, effectively improving planning for schedules.
Since joining the project team, Kingsley has gained training in new software such as AECOsim Building Designer a modelling software and ProjectWise a system helping to manage, share and distribute engineering project content and various engineering disciplines. After a year and a half, Kingsley is on track to complete his level 3 Digital Engineering apprenticeship by 2020.
In his words: “I am thoroughly enjoying my apprenticeship at Costain, as I am faced with new challenges and experiences whilst building and developing my network each day.”
Abubaker Jelani, Business Admin Apprentice with Mace
Although Abubaker was always keen on an apprenticeship he was wary as he couldn’t see many of his peers favouring this route. He started studying at Sir George Monoux Sixth Form College whilst continuing to apply for apprenticeships with employers such as his local council.
After my two years at College when he was just about to give up on finding an apprenticeship when he found out about the Design Engineer Construct (DEC) course delivered by Newham College which provides students with the skills they need to become the BIM managers, built environment professionals and technicians industry of the future.
In Abubaker’s words “DEC allowed me to learn the fundamental elements within a construction company and how they operate on a day to day basis. I found the work placement with Balfour Beatty on the East Wick & Sweetwater Project hugely valuable experience which helped me secure my next career step’.
On completion of his level 3 DEC qualification, Abubaker was actively looking for an apprenticeship within the Construction Industry. An opportunity became available through LLDC to do a level three Business Administration apprenticeship with Mace, which Abubaker applied for and was offered.
“After the DEC course, I was able to find confidence within myself again, without this I wouldn’t be in the position I am now which I’ll always be grateful for.”
Abubaker has become a proactive member of the Mace team based at the London Legacy Development Corporation and currently working on the East Bank development.
“Mace is a company that values their members, they believe in personal development and I aim to follow the same footsteps as others including those from my team as they were able to share me their own personal experiences as how they started off and what they do now. Knowing this keeps me motivated every day at work.”
Emily McDonald, Project Director at Burohappold Engineering, DEC delivery partner
“We work with a collective of different talented organisations such as contractors, architects and project managers to make it really powerful and give students an understanding of the breadth of career paths they can follow.
"Some of the students on the programme might not end up being engineers – some of them will be architects, but as long as they’re inspired about our industry that’s fine.”
