Students Undergo Real-Life Work Experience

Construction students are revitalising empty properties on an East Hull Estate, transforming eyesores into decent homes again.

The Preston Road Voids Project will see four long-term properties, which have been standing idle and neglected for at least five years, refurbished as part of an innovative 'hands-on' training scheme. It is a joint venture between Probe (Hull) Ltd, Preston Road Development Trust, Hull City Council, Hull College, Gateway, and Chevin Housing Association.

 “The house was in a terrible state when we arrived,” says joinery tutor John Farnill. “with much internal structural work to do first. ”

The training is provided for 16-25 year olds and students working on their NVQ Level 2 course at Hull College have relished the chance to work on a construction site rather than practise in the workshops. The challenge involves all aspects of property refurbishment, from 'stripping out' to joinery, plastering, bricklaying, fitting out and decorating. By the end of the initiative, some 100 youngsters will have benefited from it.

Luke Clarke, 18, says: “It’s great on site and we really get a hands-on feel for the job. It’s also team work and the tutors are on hand to support us. I left Isaac Newton with 13 GCSEs but I really wanted to do construction and be proud of making things. I want to go into property development in future as that’s where the money is. May I can do that part-time while also being a tutor at the College.”

Next Luke of Greatfield will  join other fellow students as apprentices for the consortium Esteem, working on one of the Building Schools for the Future projects in Hull.  Twins Joe and Lewis Hill are also on the scheme. Joe says: “It’s real pressure on site. If you make a mistake in the workshop, you just start again, but here the plasterer could be waiting to get on with his work.”

John Farnill says: “We’ve had dozens of students working on the house since May and when it’s finished, it’ll be sold or offered up to let. The next challenge for the new intake of students in September will be three more boarded-up homes, and they will provide high-quality accommodation for local people.”