STUDENTS at Colchester Institute enjoyed an educational visit to a National Grid site. 

Fourteen students studying a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment in their second year, a new technical-based qualification which started in 2020,  enjoyed a trip to the former Colchester Gasworks. 

The students, aged between 17 and 19, joined the site team at Hythe Quay gasworks, where a gasholder is being dismantled as part of a nationwide land remediation project. 

National Grid, who organised the visit, gave a tour of the site, while the land regeneration advisor Tom Parker explained the process of dismantling the gas holders. 

Mr Parker said: “At National Grid, one of our key aims is to give back to the communities that are affected by our work. 

“We are so pleased that we could offer this visit to local students, hopefully inspiring them toward future careers in construction and teaching them more about dismantling processes.” 

The onsite team also gave career advice to the young people, speaking specifically about the role of the site manager, which many of the students aspire to be. 

Gavin Craig, site manager at Erith, said: “Erith are always keen to get involved in community outreach, and to encourage students into the construction industry by giving them a chance to see how a working site functions.  

“It was great to speak to the students individually about how their studies linked to what we’re doing on-site, and to hear about their career ambitions.” 

Colchester Institute welcomed the visit to give learners a more practical approach to their studies. 

Teacher Michelle Box said: “The visit was a great success, giving the learners a multifaceted experience, from the management processes to onsite work, which linked extensively to their curriculum and specific units.  

“The Health and Safety were excellent on-site and this gave the learners a real opportunity for them to reflect on theory into practice.  

“Gavin Craig at Erith really engaged on 1-1's with a few learners inspiring them to get into the site management role. We would like to say a big thank you from Colchester Institute Construction teaching team and the students”