Congratulations to the all-female Leeds College of Building team who won this year’s Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) West Yorkshire Student Challenge.
The annual competition gives the opportunity for students to implement creative thinking, test analytical and technical skills, and develop effective teamwork strategies.
The competition tests groups using a unique and challenging theoretical construction project brief after which entrants present their bids to a live panel of industry expert judges online.
The competition is open to all students in the Yorkshire region on a BTEC Level 3 Construction and the Built Environment course. This year, the winning pitch went to Promise Ndubueze, Ayonimofe Osimokun, and Aliyha Rahman who are all studying at Leeds College of Building University Centre.
This is the second time a team from Leeds College of Building has won the competition and the first all-female group to take the title.
This year’s challenge was based around a modern exemplar sustainable building project with the aim of showcasing innovative design solutions that reduce on-going energy consumption while also considering the wellbeing of users. The site was located in a central city location and students were asked to consider the possible site constraints and considerations.
Students were also asked to provide approximate timescales for design and construction of the home as well as ideas for collaboration with local companies and organisation, give sustainable solutions, and consider wellbeing in their design.
Kirsty Barker, CIOB Member Services & Events Co-ordinator, presented the team with a special glass trophy which will be displayed at College and Amazon vouchers for each team member. Kirsty said:
“The Leeds College of Building team showed a real understanding of the challenge and came up with innovative solutions to both the site constraints (due to its location) and the design solutions focused on sustainability and wellbeing.
“It was clear from the submission that the students thought outside the box with their solutions and used key knowledge of sustainable practice. The judges were really impressed by the team’s effort; they were the clear winners of the West Yorkshire Student Challenge.”
Rashel Akers, the curriculum manager for full-time study programmes at Leeds College of Building, added:
“I am very proud of these students. They had to make time to do this outside of their studies. These students are excelling both academically and in their extra-curricular activities and have a lot to contribute to the industry.
“Thanks also goes to Emma Pearson, the Leeds College of Building University Centre Employability Officer, whose links with organisations like the CIOB are invaluable for making such opportunities available to all our students.”
Sign up to the next Leeds College of Building open night to learn more about careers in construction here.
