Construction students to get experience

Construction students from Sheppey are building the foundations of their future - and the new Healthy Living Centre extension - as part of the £20 million Sheerness Revival.

Swale Borough Council is investing heavily in Sheerness through the government-funded revival project, which includes the major works currently taking place at Beachfields.  

The project is creating real opportunities for local young people.

Etec, the council’s contractors, recently interviewed eight Level 2 bricklaying students from EKC Sheppey College.  

They selected two students to join the professional bricklaying team on-site to gain vital hands-on experience.

This programme runs for a month and once the students complete their course, the programme offers a potential work placement to help kickstart their careers in construction.

The students are contributing to the significant upgrades to the centre.

Which includes improving access to the GP surgery and adding a new consultation room and minor surgery unit.

The extension also brings exciting new leisure options to the area.  

This includes ‘Tag Active’ and adventure play zones, an upgraded gym, and a custom-made space for the charity Sheppey Matters.

Local school children are also leaving a hidden legacy in the building.  

Pupils from Rose Street Primary School are painting messages and artwork on bricks used in the new extension.

These painted bricks will act as a unique time capsule, waiting to be discovered when the building is renovated in the future.

Earlier this year, the construction students helped lay the first bricks of the EKC Sheppey College expansion.  

This new building adds 900 square metres of educational space, allowing the college to offer courses that match the needs of local employers.

From the start of the new year, the college will host Level 2 Engineering - featuring classrooms equipped with 3D printers - and creative media courses.

The college also recently welcomed its first students to a brand-new junior college for 14-16-year-olds.

The final piece of the puzzle involves the creation of makers studios behind Masters House.  

These spaces will allow young creatives to start their own businesses with support from the enterprise charity, Launch It.

Cllr Monique Bonney, chair of the Council’s Economy and Property Committee, said:

“All our Sheerness Revival projects are progressing well. You can see the extension at Beachfields taking shape, and the college extension and Masters House huts will finish soon.

“Education is vital for long-lasting change. We need to improve employment opportunities for residents, and this college partnership proves our ambition.

“Connecting students with work experience brings two major parts of the revival project together. We can’t wait for everyone to use the improved GP, gym, and community spaces once the work finishes.”

Alexandra Syrotiuk, Principal of EKC Sheppey College, said:

“It’s so exciting that two of our EKC Sheppey College students are getting the opportunity to play a key role in supporting the regeneration project in Sheerness.

“Being able to see the College extension take shape every week is one thing, but to be able to step foot on a construction site and contribute to the build is another.

“This is an incredible opportunity, which will support their professional development, and I am very much looking forward to hearing about how they get on."

Geoff Bull, Contract Manager at Etec Group, said:

“At Etec, we’re proud to partner with EKC Sheppey College to give students real-world experience that builds confidence and skills for their future careers.

“These projects not only strengthen the local community but also create pathways for young people to thrive in construction.

“It’s about investing in talent today to shape the workforce of tomorrow.”

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