Linden Homes has been helping 80 students at the South Devon University Technical College (SDUTC) learn more about the housebuilding process and develop their engineering skills.
David Ridley, Linden Homes’ technical manager, ran a series of workshops where he set them a challenge and explained the principles of housebuilding to the year 10 and 12 pupils, who are taking courses in engineering, physics, maths and aerospace design.
Speaking about the day, David commented: “I wanted to keep the workshops practical and tasked them with designing and creating a structure using 100 lollipop sticks that had to support a brick. The students were given 45 minutes to carry out their mission but couldn’t test their designs until the end.”
David added: “There were some fantastic entries, but there were also a couple of panicked last minute adjustments which unfortunately jeopardised the structure. I was really impressed with one tower that took the weight of four bricks – we even carried out a test to see if it would take the weight of a person! Everyone was really enthusiastic throughout the day and it was great to see them all so inspired.”
Alison Hannah, assistant principal at South Devon UTC said: “Our students were given an opportunity to experience the design challenges met by Linden Homes during a workshop. The task enabled them to further develop their skills in negotiating, collaboration and problem solving – attributes that are likely to make them highly employable in the workplace.”
The SDUTC is working closely with local industry in the fields of engineering, the environment and water to offer GCSE studies for pupils from year 10, plus A levels and BTECs for those aged 16-18. The college is supported by a number of significant employers and founding partners of the UTC, including Galliford Try, South West Water, Centrax, the Environment Agency and national charity Water Aid.
Bradley Davison, managing director of Linden Homes (part of the Galliford Try Group) said: “As a leading housebuilder, with a strong portfolio across the south west, we’re very keen to support the SDUTC and to see it, and its students, succeed. The construction and civil engineering sector needs young people with the skills required to help drive economic growth in the future, and we hope this college will help to provide them.”
For more details on new homes in Devon and Cornwall visit the website and for information on the South Devon University Technical College visit www.southdevonutc.org
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Media can contact Emma Mackay on 077383 12960 for more information, images and interviews with Linden Homes.
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