Future hospital builders to teach engineering to local pupils

Sunday 16 September 2018

Local students will get learn about design and engineering by observing the construction of the new hospital with the firm tasked with its construction as part of a scheme designed to “inspire the next generation of Built Environment professionals.”

Pupils at Le Rocquier School will be the first to benefit from the 'Design Engineer Construct! (DEC)' programme.

It's being introduced by J3 - a partnership between local contractors Garenne and Sir Robert McAlpine, the civil engineering firm behind the O2 Arena and Olympics Stadium.

The DEC progamme offers a set of qualifications for students aged 11 to 18. It will aim to provide a real-life context for science, technology, engineering, and maths.

The programme has been developed in partnership with the government's newly formed Children, Young People, Education and Skills Department and Skills Jersey. It is one of several initiatives to introduce more STEM-focused learning activities to the school curriculum. 

The construction of the planned new hospital will provide a number of opportunities for students to learn core design, engineering and construction skills linked to the curriculum. Construction partner J3 is also planning a number of other initiatives to boost skills in Jersey.  

Pictured: Le Rocquier school will be the first one to benefit from “Design Engineer Construct! (DEC)."

Marc Burton, J3 Director, commented that his team were "thrilled to be involved in delivering Design Engineer Construct! at Le Rocquier School and hope to extend our sponsorship to other schools next year."

"We’ve been delighted by the enthusiasm of staff, parents and students for this innovative curriculum offering. The J3 team is really looking forward to meeting and supporting teachers and students as the lessons roll out," he said.

Bernard Place, Future Hospital Project Director, said students will have lots to learn from J3. “The planned new hospital is the Island’s largest capital project. The consortium of local and UK companies involved in planning, designing and building it have a wealth of experience and expertise that they’re keen to pass on so they leave a legacy that stretches beyond the healthcare building.”  

Pictured: Students will be able to learn first-hand about engineering from the Future Hospital's construction team.

Dave Roworth, of Skills Jersey, hopes the programme will help students consider future careers in the sector. “The students involved in the programme will use industry standard software and will work alongside industry professionals. Through the DEC qualification, they will gain experience both in class and out on site, and observe the full range of exciting professional careers now available in the modern built environment industries," he commented.

For Katie Holland, Lead DEC teacher at Le Rocquier, the benefits of the accredited programme are enormous. She said: “DEC will help to develop young people with real-world practical experience and highly desirable employability skills.”

The first group of students will be launched on the Level 1 and 2 Certificate in Design Engineer Construct! this academic year.