Oldham College T Level students gain hands-on experience at FCHO development site

Oldham College T Level students joined First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) staff last week to get real world experience of construction at a development site.

The students, all in their second year studying Design, Surveying and Planning, visited our £4.5 million Arca Construct scheme on Thatcher Street, Hathershaw. The site, which will deliver 19 eco-friendly homes on a former garage plot, provided the perfect setting for the group to explore real-world applications of their classroom learning.

Guided by experienced professionals from Arca and FCHO, the students toured the site on Wednesday 8 October, gaining first-hand knowledge of foundations, structural elements, service installations and layout planning.

Zaynab Farooq, 19, one of the students taking part, shared her thoughts:

“This has been a new experience for me, going from learning in the classroom to actually being out on site. I’ve always liked numbers and surveying, and I’m really interested in different types of buildings. I often find myself curious about how buildings are made.”

FCHO’s Director of People and Culture, Richard Sandiford, highlighted the importance of the partnership with Oldham College:

“It was fantastic to welcome the students to site and show them how the theory they’re learning translates into practice.

At FCHO, we’re committed to supporting the next generation of construction professionals, and our partnership with Oldham College plays a key role in helping young people gain the experience they need to thrive in the industry.”

Earlier this year, three T Level students also completed work placements with FCHO, further strengthening our commitment to nurturing local talent and building a skilled workforce for the future.