Over 160 years, international construction and civil engineering firm John Sisk & Son Ltd has evolved into Ireland’s leading builder and contractor. The family-owned business now delivers multidisciplinary projects in the UK too, including many programmes in the West Yorkshire region.
Several years ago, Leeds College of Building and Sisk partnered to engage students in civil engineering. Activities include site visits, careers support, and construction project talks by Sisk employees.
Recently, second-year Level 3 Construction & the Built Environment students benefitted from an employability session with three Sisk staff members who attended College for a day. These experts helped critique CVs and performed mock interviews with five work placements on offer as an incentive.
“Sisk is committed to leaving a legacy in the communities where we work, and we’re delighted to be working with Leeds College of Building to support the next generation of construction professionals. Students were approachable, receptive to feedback and keen to learn. They were clear that they wanted to gain experience in engineering or site supervision.”
Kelly Sowden, Regional Stakeholder and Communications Manager at Sisk
The feedback from the session was overwhelmingly positive, both from students and the employer. Sisk staff members said that the students “were really brilliant and a real credit to the college.” Five students received special mentions after performing especially well, giving insightful answers, and coming across so positively.
In fact, Sisk was so impressed that they offered all students a week of on-site work experience at Sisk construction sites in and around Leeds. These placements shadow engineers and project managers to quantity surveyors or office-based designers.
Sisk also said it will host a workshop to support students getting CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) cards. CSCS cards provide proof that individuals have the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they do on site. Holding a CSCS card is not a legislative requirement. However, most contractors require construction workers on their sites carry a valid card.
Brian Duffy, Faculty Director at Leeds College of Building, said:
“This is absolutely brilliant news - well done to everyone involved. We are so pleased and proud of the students and the feedback from Sisk. We have some fantastic ambassadors in the making here!”
Emma Pearson, Work Placement Officer at Leeds College of Building, said:
“I am very proud of how the students did, especially given their age. Many are only 17, and so any type of careers coaching is completely new to them. Despite this, they still put themselves forward in a bid to get the edge when it comes to gaining full-time employment. This is such a great partnership with Sisk. After many projects have been on hold with Covid-19, so it’s wonderful to get things going again.”
One student fed back:
“They gave us really good tips for interviews for the future.”
Another said:
“My mock interview went really well. They helped me with my CV. Now I know more of what to expect from real interviews.”
Five students from this activity have already completed 2-3 days of work experience with Sisk. In addition, there is also the possibility that one student may be taken on as an Apprentice at Sisk at the end of next year.
As this relationship continues to grow and evolve, even more students will benefit from this exciting partnership between the college and Sisk.
