One recent example is Mason (left of the picture), a student from R.E.A.L Education, who joined us for a short but impactful work experience placement.

Over the course of four Fridays, Mason got a real taste of life on a working construction site — gaining hands-on experience, meeting skilled tradespeople, and learning more about the career path he’s keen to pursue.

A Keen Interest in Bricklaying and Groundwork

From day one, Mason impressed the team with his enthusiasm and willingness to get involved.

He particularly enjoyed getting stuck into groundwork, learning how teams collaborate on-site, and understanding how different roles contribute to a project.

His end goal is to secure an apprenticeship in Bricklaying, and we’re proud to have played a small part in his journey.

“There was nothing he didn’t enjoy,” said the team — a clear sign that Mason embraced the experience wholeheartedly.

Feedback from the Site Team

Our Site Manager, Matt Curtis Cooper (right in the image above), who supervised Mason during his placement, had this to say:

“Mason did very well. He settled into the team quickly, especially considering he was only on site for a short period. He did everything I asked and listened well.”

Matt went on to highlight the wider benefit of work placements like this:

“I think the work experience we offer is a great opportunity for young people to get a proper insight into the construction industry and see the variety of trades we have on site. It helps them figure out whether this is the right path for them — and hopefully inspires them to take the next step.”

Our Ongoing Commitment to Skills and Training

As an organisation, Vaughandale is committed to supporting training, education, and development across the construction sector.

Whether it’s offering placements to school leavers, apprenticeships, or upskilling our own team, we know the future of our industry depends on investing in people today.

Supporting students like Mason isn’t just good for them — it’s good for us too.

It brings fresh energy to our sites, strengthens our links with the local community, and helps ensure the construction workforce of tomorrow is skilled, capable, and ready to make an impact.

Final Thoughts

We’d like to say a big well done to Mason for his attitude and effort over the four weeks, and a thank you to R.E.A.L Education for trusting us to provide a meaningful experience.

We look forward to offering more placements in the future and continuing our work to inspire the next generation of tradespeople, site managers, and construction professionals.

If you’re a student, or a school or college, looking to collaborate on work placements, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to hear from those looking to take their first step into construction.