Work Experience Blog

We’ve really loved hosting two Sixth Form students from Farnborough College for a week of work experience at the Mindenhurst development.

Throughout the week, they’ve explored different aspects of construction, sustainability, and project planning, and we’ve been really impressed by their curiosity and enthusiasm. Here’s their blog, capturing what they got up to each day and what they learned along the way.

Day 1 – First Impressions and Site Walks

We kicked off the week with an introduction to the Mindenhurst project. We learned about the infrastructure being built and how things like traffic, flooding, and environmental impact are all carefully planned. It was cool to see how much thought goes into making sure everything works well for the people who’ll live here.

After that, we went on a site walk and saw loads of different areas, including where the sports pitches will be and how drainage systems are set up. We also found out about a contaminated area that needs cleaning before any building can happen which is something we hadn’t really thought about before.

Later, we joined a meeting about modular buildings and design compliance. We talked about the Grenfell Tower fire and how it led to new rules that make sure designers and contractors are held responsible for safety. It was a serious topic, but really important to understand.

Day 2 – Safety, Snags, and Smart Design

We started the day learning about RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statements), permits, and how every day begins with a safety briefing. It was clear that safety is a massive priority on site.

In the afternoon, we visited the church and new church hall, where electrical work was being done. We saw how snags are spotted and sorted out. It was interesting to see how detailed the checks are.

We also visited the new allotments being built for the care home. They’ve been designed to be accessible all year round, with proper paths and layouts. It was great to see how construction can make a real difference to people’s lives.

Day 3 – Grenfell Research and Housebuilding

We started with a research task on the Grenfell fire. It was shocking to learn how flammable materials and poor safety checks led to such a huge tragedy. We talked about how new laws now make sure people are held accountable if something goes wrong.

Later, we visited a CALA site where new homes are being built. We saw how the process works, from laying foundations to installing utilities. It gave us a proper understanding of how houses are built and how important it is to follow the right steps.

Day 4 – Quality Checks and Progress Meetings

We learned about how engineers, consultants, and architects work together, and how their roles change depending on the company. We also looked at RAMS and Method Statement Checklists and tried to spot mistakes, like missing revision numbers or safety info. It was tricky but really useful.

We joined a meeting about progress on the allotments and church hall. It was interesting to hear how things move forward and what can cause delays. Later, we went back to the allotments to do a quality check, measuring benches and paths to make sure they matched the drawings. It showed us how important accuracy is in construction.

Day 5 – Estimating and Concrete Work

On our last day, we worked with maps and scale rulers to estimate material volumes. We learned how this helps figure out costs and how weight affects pricing. It was a good mix of maths and real-world application.

In the afternoon, we got hands-on with concrete mixing, spreading, and smoothing it out. We learned how to avoid bubbles and make sure the finish is right. It was a fun way to end the week and gave us a proper feel for the practical side of construction.

Final Thoughts

This week has been packed with learning and new experiences. We’ve seen how much goes into building safe, sustainable places and met loads of people who are passionate about what they do. If you’re thinking about doing work experience in construction, we’d definitely recommend it, just ask questions, get involved, and you’ll learn loads.