VolkerFitzpatrick's Rail Division Supports Open Doors Event

It’s the yearly nationwide event of Open Doors this week and I’m pleased to say that VolkerFitzpatricks project team, over at Trimley St. Martin near Felixstowe, took part yesterday.

We opened our doors to thirteen students and two teachers from Suffolk New College. Dan Smith, Senior Project Manager, VFL delivered a project overview of the Felixstowe Branch Capacity Enhancement Scheme, which provided the students with a good understanding of why we are doing the project, what it involves and what it will mean to the local community once in operation, after project completion.

Following the overview, we all headed out on a site walk out, which was led by Dan and supported by my colleagues Joshua Abbott, Environmental Advisor, Martin Blundell Health & Safety Advisor and myself Maxine Stephens, Project Skills Co-ordinator.

After spending around 45 minutes discussing the work that was being undertaken, we headed back to our site compound for some well- earned squash, biscuits and coffee!

I then delivered a careers’ into construction session. It enabled me to tell them about the types of job roles that are available within our industry, that perhaps they didn’t know about before.  It also gave me the chance to tell them about how they can move into our sector. 

Gavin Loose, Tutor at Suffolk New College commented “the visit was very interesting for all of us attending, to see what else goes on apart from bricklaying. The presentation at the end was brilliant, for them to see other job roles available and listening to other people’s experiences; but more importantly, what employers are looking for from them, which are the core personal skills” 

Overall, it was a positive experience for all and I really do hope that even if we have inspired just one young person from the group, then we take satisfaction in knowing that we played a key role in this.