We’re very happy to announce that we have recently partnered with the University Of Salford, to explore the benefits of work placement students. By integrating students into our business we’ve realised benefits in our FM Projects team specifically by onboarding Justice Akogo, Assistant Project Manager.
How and why did we decide to utilise this route of staffing the business? FM Projects Director, Lee Hudson to explain:
“Identifying the job pipeline was growing extensively, I asked our team for suggestions to help them resource the management of it. Former university student and now 24-7 FM Project Engineer, Scott Thompson, suggested utilising our local university who specialises in construction, to bring in a student on placement to assist our project managers. I was impressed with Scott’s suggestion, as he also highlighted that a student would be a great innovativing addition to our team. So as well as us teaching the student an abundance of industry knowledge, we could also learn new skills from them too, to enhance our processes and overall teams’ performance.
Approaching University Of Salford with our initial interest, kick-started a conversation to discuss options of employing work placement students full time upon completing their placement with us. The benefits this supports brings are simple as it builds on our existing teams management skills and allows student to get that first step into Full Time employment.”
We then reviewed a number of applications from University Of Salford eventually finding Justice’s CV, who’s passion for building and design stood out which led him pursuing a degree in Construction Project Management.
Why did Justice decide to apply for a work placement with 24-7 FM?
“I decided to apply for the advertised role, as it aligns with my career goals, offering valuable experience in managing complex M&E projects and the ability to contribute positively to a project management team.
Over my placement I want to gain practical experience and apply my theoretical knowledge to real world projects. This not only deepens my understanding of construction project management, but also contributes to my further understanding of the M&E sector. I intend to connect with industry professionals, and colleagues to build a network which can support my career growth and can provide various opportunities. I aim to understand and adapt to industry best practices & standards ensuring I am well-prepared for the future challenges I am bound to face. I will integrate practical experiences and case studies from my work placement into my academic work, enlightening my assignments with real world insights. To enhance my performance and match my learning with industry standards, I plan to regularly seek input from mentors and supervisors at 24-7 Group, making my final year studies more relevant and impactful.”
How’s Justice found his work placement so far?
“I have learnt many valuable things during my first month at 24-7 Group. I have learned a lot about project planning, coordination and how crucial they are in the successful completion of projects. I have also developed my knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, strengthened my teamwork and communication abilities, as well as becoming more familiar with industry standards and practices.”
FM Projects Director, Lee Hudson, is very impressed with how Justice has adapted to the role, adding: “In such a small amount of time, we have already recognised the benefits of onboarding Justice into our FM team. By Justice joining our FM team over the past month and successfully completing out vital workflow tasks, we have already started to notice the benefit of enhanced productivity from our Project Managers, as it has allowed them to focus on more time-sensitive tasks within their roles.”
We are very pleased to have partnered with the University Of Salford to deliver an opportunity to provide industry experience, alongside education, resulting in a beneficial outcome for all parties.
Over the next few months we’ll post future updates on the progress of Justice and our relationship with the University Of Salford.
