Hard hats on, scaffolding up and tools at the ready. Students from TCES East London School Outreach recently swapped the classroom for a hands-on construction experience during a work experience visit with Simian Construction.
The visit gave students the chance to step into the world of construction and see what the industry looks like from the inside. Guided by an experienced instructor, they explored the practical skills involved in the trade, including building sections of scaffolding and learning how roof repairs are carried out. With safety measures in place and expert guidance throughout, students were able to get stuck in and try out the tasks themselves.
Over the course of the session, students also learned about the training routes that could lead into construction careers. The team at Simian Construction explained how young people can begin with a six-month Entry Level 3 Construction qualification before progressing into further training or apprenticeships in the industry.
The visit also explored how students could combine practical training with continued education, spending part of the week developing real-world construction skills while continuing to study core subjects such as Maths and English at TCES.
What made the experience especially positive was the welcoming environment created by the Simian Construction team, who have experience supporting neurodivergent learners. Their approach helped students feel comfortable, supported and confident as they explored a completely new environment.
For many students, it was a chance to discover new interests, try practical skills and see how learning in the classroom can connect to real careers in the future.