Students turn learning into reality on key worker health building project

Two University of Wolverhampton students who got hands-on experience in a project which will provide state-of-the-art training facilities for the next generation of key workers have visited the site following its official opening.

The two students, Ben Harris and Nadia Fernandes, work for Birmingham based Overbury, the contractor appointed to lead the refurbishment of the new Marches Centre of Excellence for Health and Social Care in the Angad Paul Building at the University’s Telford Campus.

The Centre, which received £3.5m Growth Deal funding from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), will enable healthcare students to gain hands-on, real-life experience and ensure they have the skills and knowledge to benefit employers.

Ben Harris, 20 from Wolverhampton, is studying for a Construction Management Degree Apprenticeship and is in his 3rd year. He worked full time on the Telford project as trainee Project Manager.

Nadia Fernandes, 21 from Evesham, is studying for an Interior Design degree in the University’s School of Art and is about to complete her 1st year. She worked on the Telford project one day a week as a Junior Designer, as well as on another project in Birmingham City Centre.

Nadia said: “This was a really great opportunity for me. I learned so much about how a project starts and how it ends up and everything in between.  The building is so innovative and makes the best use of space. The simulation room is amazing, you can’t get closer to real life than that, I’ve never seen anything like it. This has really laid the foundations for me to see how a project should be run so that I can be the best I can be at my job.”

Ben said: “I can’t believe I’ve been able to work on such a brilliant building and a brilliant project.  It’s been great for my future and great for my career and everything I’ve learned here I’ll try to take forward into my next project.

“I can’t recommend a Degree Apprenticeship enough. On this project I’ve got significant experience on site but also from my learning at University. It all ties in and the biggest benefit is that everything you see in your lectures, in the classroom, actually becomes reality. When you do your assignments, everything makes complete sense.”

Andrew Wood, Managing Director at Overbury’s Birmingham office, said: “Both Ben and Nadia joined Overbury’s Foundation Programme over the past two years, giving each the opportunity to work alongside our teams and learn from their expertise, gain on site experience all whilst completing their qualifications.

“It’s key for our teams to pass and share our knowledge to the next generation of managers, continuing our excellent delivery in the future.”

Ben’s Degree Apprenticeship is funded by the government through the Apprenticeship Levy and Nadia’s degree is being funded by Overbury.

The new Centre offers state-of-the-art skills and simulation facilities that can be used across health and social care disciplines. It will proactively address shortfalls in health professionals across the Marches area, with an emphasis on local people and students who will become key workers.

The new facilities include a room for paramedic science and other disciplines, a mock house, various teaching spaces and new student social spaces.

Also involved in the project were the University’s Estates and Facilities team, architects Broadway Malyan, Faithful & Gould as the client-side project manager and Gleeds as Project Management and cost management services.

Anyone looking to study at the University of Wolverhampton should register for one of our forthcoming Open Days.

ENDS