Leading developer Countryside and Stempoint East celebrate successful two-week placement programme in partnership with Nuffield Research
Leading mixed-tenure developer Countryside, in association with Stempoint East and Nuffield Research Placements, celebrated the end of their successful two-week placement programme on Friday 5th August.
The placement provided the unique opportunity for Year 12 students from selected London boroughs where Countryside is developing new homes, to take part in real-life research placements – designed to develop the students’ professional, research and quantitative skills, as well as discover careers within the built environment that they might not have considered before.
Taking place over two weeks between Monday 5th July to Friday 5th August, Countryside offered a total of 18 students the opportunity to take part in the Placement across the boroughs of Brent, Lambeth, Waltham Forest, Barking and Dagenham and Enfield – and, thanks to the success of the programme, they will aim to develop the scheme in numbers and geographically year on year.
The Nuffield Research Placement scheme seeks to inspire the next generation by supervising and funding students over a two-week period. All of the students who take part, are students from local high schools near Countryside regeneration projects, with research showing that participation in such programmes increases the likelihood of students attending top universities- developing new skills and confidence that help support the student application process. Through this placement programme Countryside provided the students with a series of meaningful and exciting hands-on research projects tailored towards their academic interests and supported the students with producing their report by arranging a programme of site visits, a personal mentor, meetings with technical specialists drawn both internally, and across a network of over eighteen external organisations.
Nurturing early careers by providing work experience is part of Countryside's commitment to support more young professionals to explore a career in construction and the built environment, to build a diverse workforce in the industry, and moreover to inspire students to reach their potential and build self-confidence enabling them to challenge themselves.
Mariam, LB Waltham Forest, London Academy of Excellence-Tottenham said: “The Nuffield research placement has given me the opportunity to investigate and engage with some of the problems facing society today, and I hope this work will have a positive impact on these in the long-term. Taking part in this project– and being able to work independently and set my own goals - has given me valuable professional and research experience, as well as a great insight into the world of work.”
Mentor: Josh Chamber, Assistant Development Manager, South London and Thames Gateway, Countryside said: “The Stempoint programme is an excellent opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds to gain an understanding and knowledge of the property sector. It's been great getting to know the students over the past two weeks and introducing them to the fantastic career opportunities available in the field. It has been a pleasure to represent Countryside, and the student’s enthusiasm, determination and commitment has made this project a joy to be a part of.”
Kate Ives, Strategic Growth Director, Countryside said: “We place people at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to add value to the communities in which we operate. We are thrilled to have been able to do this through our partnership with Stempoint and Nuffield – utilising the diversity of skills we have on our schemes to assist young people in their personal and professional development.
We are pleased to have had selected Countryside supervisors become Stempoint ambassadors, which allows us to work collaboratively with the students to help bridge the gap between education and real-life business experience on an ongoing basis.
