Built Environment students from New College Lanarkshire enjoyed an insight into the work that goes into a £43 million building project during a visit from Morrison Construction.

Two quantity surveyors and a project manager from the construction giant spoke to students at the college’s Motherwell Campus recently.

More than 30 students of NC Built Environment and HNC Built Environment listened to an hour-long presentation on the planning and processes being employed at the new Largs Campus, which brings together early years, primary and secondary education into a complex of seven buildings.

They were able to look over detailed procurement schedules involving more than 60 sub-contractors as well as a master programme for the timetable of the work.

The students heard from quantity surveyors Ian Paterson and Craig Fairbairn, assistant community skills manager Caitlin Quinn, and project manager Steven Cheyne, who each shared details of the very different routes that led them to a career in the construction industry.

Ian Paterson, who also worked on the SSE Hydro, said: “It’s important for industry professionals to engage with students so that they have a good understanding of the opportunities that are available to them within the built environment.

“I hope it has encouraged the students to think about the different career paths on offer, and how they could progress from studying to realising their ambitions.

“Whilst studying is very important, it is vastly different to working on a live construction project and I think it’s important that students get a more complete picture about the variety of work that is involved in delivering a large construction project.

“Projects such as Largs Campus can be both rewarding and challenging and it is good for students to have relevant ‘real life’ examples that they can aspire to be involved in.”

The college has worked with Morrison Construction for the last two years on securing work placements and employment opportunities for students.

Construction lecturer John Quinn said: “I hope that the presentations from Morrison Construction professionals will give our students aspirations to be the best they can be.

“The presentation illustrated the different career paths available, either through traineeships or a full-time education route at university, which both achieve the same goal.

“The students did find the size and cost of the project quite daunting, but it was really useful for them to learn that these guys were in a similar position to them when they first went to college or university and didn’t really know what they ultimately wanted to do in their respective careers.

“The whole purpose of this exercise was to build confidence and open their minds to career options within the construction industry.”

Applications are now open for Construction courses at New College Lanarkshire starting in August.