Three Newbury College students have powered up their career prospects with valuable experience of the electrical industry thanks to employer partner OCU Group.
Students Thomas McNeil Aitken, Kian Darcy-Masters and Joseph Foley were fortunate to successfully complete the industry placement element of their T Level Building Services Engineering for Construction (BSE) Electrical, at OCU Group.
During their time with OCU Group, the students explored substations, power lines and roadside projects. They also attended team meetings and progress reviews, developed their public-speaking skills and took part in environmental activities.
Thomas had the opportunity to tour SSE's heat and power station and observed ongoing roadside work. He learned how traffic management and detailed planning help teams complete projects safely.
Thomas said: “I learned from senior tradespeople about the importance of heat and power, with a focus on high-voltage systems such as substations and power lines.
“I also learned a lot about traffic management and the work that takes place during the planning stages before a project can begin.”
A highlight for Thomas was speaking to experienced people about working safely on power lines.
He added: “I learned how a team operates and how important it is to have a good attitude at work. Effective communication keeps the whole team informed and safe.”
Joseph developed his understanding of high-voltage electrical work and the processes involved in managing substation projects. He also attended progress meetings, where he saw how different teams and stages of work come together.
Joseph said: “The highlight was meeting people who had a lot of industry experience. They were always happy to help us when we did not understand something.
“The placement gave me a better idea of the job I would like to do in the future. It also helped me understand more about the high-voltage side of electrical work.”
Public speaking was initially a challenge for Joseph. However, he grew in confidence by taking part and facing the challenge directly.
Kian also explored substations and learned about high-voltage electrical systems. He said the welcoming environment was one of the most memorable parts of the placement.
Kian said: “The highlight was feeling welcomed every day we attended. The placement also helped me improve my communication skills.”
Employer partnerships are central to Newbury College’s ‘Careers, not courses’ approach. Working with organisations such as OCU Group gives students access to experienced professionals, real workplaces and current industry practice.
These opportunities allow students to apply their classroom learning, develop professional behaviours and explore different career paths. They also help students build confidence, teamwork and communication skills before progressing into employment, an apprenticeship or further study.
Anna Mason, Industry Placement coordinator at Newbury College, said: “Working in partnership with employers such as OCU Group is vital to the success of technical education.
“Industry placements give students meaningful experience and help them understand the standards expected in the workplace. They also allow employers to inspire and support the next generation of skilled professionals.
“We are grateful to OCU Group and its employees for sharing their knowledge, welcoming our students and creating opportunities that can transform lives.”
For programmes such as T Levels, the Industry Placement is vital to the successful achievement of the student's qualification. The placements intrinsically link skills needs of business and education, connecting talent and opportunity both for the placement partner and the students.
Newbury College works closely with employers to provide career-focused education and training that meets the needs of students and the local economy. To find out more visit newbury-college.ac.uk/employers