January 2005 - The Chosen Twelve - For the Yorkshire Building Student of the Year Award
Consort Homes’ inaugural Student of the Year award has entered its second phase. The award is being run in partnership with Leeds College of Building who, in phase one of the award, selected 12 of their most promising students to proceed to the next stage.
Darren Stubbs, Consort’s Chairman, met the 12 students and chatted to them about his award winning company and what would be involved in the second stage of the award.
The chosen 12 have started a six-week placement at either Consort’s Head office in Horsforth, or one of the new sites currently under development in Bramhope, Drighlington and Hightown. They will be marked on technical knowledge, attention to detail, willingness to learn and personal traits like good communication.
Tutors at Leeds College of Building will supply Consort with the student’s academic achievements during their 3-4 year course and in June, Consort’s site managers and Chairman Darren Stubbs will judge each of them on their individual merits. One or more of best students may be offered a salaried position with the company, a bespoke Consort tool kit and a cash bonus of £250. Pupils are asked to supply a portfolio of work and a personal statement.
The award aims to improve connectivity between construction industry employers and education providers. It is hoped that Consort’s award will facilitate greater collaboration, allowing construction education to develop and grow to more comprehensively fulfil the needs of students and industry employers.
Darren himself understands the importance of having both technical skill and a solid academic background. He himself undertook a course at Leeds College of building in construction, but left after a year and has since regretted not completing the constructive course. He also knows the benefit of having ‘hands on’ experience at a live site – and not just in studios at the college. Darren comments: “It will teach them the problems that arise at a site, how to fit in with other workers and the overall issues involved in building apartments or houses.”
He continued: “Consort Homes aims to provide students with skills and knowledge that they may not have obtained on their mainstream program. Placements will allow students to improve on many skills important to career development such as communication, teamwork, and professionalism.”
College education for the successful students does not necessarily end when a career with Consort starts. Like a number of existing employees, they may choose to continue their studies by undertaking day release with the college.
Commenting on the association with Consort Homes, Liz Tasker, Marketing Manager at Leeds College of Building said: “Partnerships such as the Consort’s Student’s of the Year programme are an excellent way to assist full time students into employment and ensure training and development of our future house builders.”
Darren Stubbs, Consort Homes Chairmain, with the 12 students chosen to procede to the next stage.
