A group of Level 3 Electrical Installation learners from Lewisham College recently participated in work experience, hosted by Mace Group, a leading global consultancy and construction company. The week-long event, part of Mace Group’s Green Skills initiative, offered students the opportunity to explore sustainability in the built environment while developing vital skills for their future careers.
Throughout the week, learners engaged in a series of workshops led by Mace Group staff members, each offering their expertise on different aspects of sustainable building design. These sessions covered crucial topics such as energy-saving technologies, water management, biodiversity, and the role of electrical installations in green buildings.
On the final day, the learners were invited to Mace Group’s headquarters in Moorgate, where they had the chance to present their solutions for a sustainable building design. They were asked to create a proposal for the headquarters of a fictional company, Pear Tech, incorporating key elements such as sustainable energy, health and wellbeing, and carbon reduction.
The first half of the day involved a tour around the building and a simulation game that highlighted the real-world challenges of sustainable building design. The game was designed to pinpoint any flaws or issues in the teams' proposals, allowing them to refine their concepts before presenting their final designs.
The groups then pitched their budgets and building designs to five panellists from various roles within Mace Group. Each team spoke in depth about their considerations of the location of the proposed headquarters as well as the impact on sustainability, health and wellbeing of the staff and the overall carbon impact. The panel spent a considerable amount of time judging the presentations and provided valuable feedback on all aspects.
Mace Group Chairman and Chief Executive, Mark Reynolds also visited the group, he engaged with the students in a Q&A session and spoke candidly about the importance of passion in one's work.
Alina Cornish, Assistant Social Value Manager for Mace, said: “As businesses it’s really important to run initiatives like this not only to build our reputation but also to hold ourselves accountable for the impact that we have on our local communities.”
Jamie Stevenson, Principal at Lewisham College, said: “At Lewisham College, we work in partnership with a range of employers covering various industry sectors. This partnership with Mace Group has resulted in hosting a significant work experience week for our learners. As the construction industry increasingly prioritises sustainability, events like Green Skills Week are essential in equipping learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in a changing landscape.”
The learners expressed how much they had learned about the wider impact of building design on the environment and society. The opportunity to collaborate with professionals from Mace Group and present their ideas to a panel of experts gave them invaluable insights into the industry and boosted their confidence in their own abilities.
Vinny Williams, Level 3 Electrical Installation learner at Lewisham College, said: “Participating in this work experience with Mace Group has been an eye-opening experience for me. I’ve discovered a range of career paths I hadn’t considered before, particularly in wind turbine maintenance and sustainable energy. I’m excited about the possibility of pursuing a future in this field and would be very open to working with Mace in the future.”
Lewisham College works in partnership with a range of employers to support learners in preparing for their future careers. To learn more and get involved, visit lewisham.ac.uk/employers.
To learn more about the Electrical Installation courses at Lewisham College and other exciting opportunities, visit lewisham.ac.uk/construction.
