Students at Bradford College are lending a hand to builders constructing its new £50 million premises by taking on jobs on site as part of their studies.

Nine first year construction management students are each spending a week working with contractors, BAM Construction, on the project which is due to be completed by 2015.

They will work with the site manager and quantity surveyors looking at construction drawings, costings, plans and the management side of the project.

Building work to transform Bradford College started last year and has inlcluded the creation of a temporary entrance to the Westbrook building, and an eco-friendly campus design sympathetic to the large-scale mill and warehouse buildings that characterise parts of Bradford.

The project had faced disappointment when a previous £120 million transformation plan was rejected two years ago but in January 2012, the new scaled-down project was approved.

Jason Pink, a project manager for BAM, said there were a number of benefits.

He said: “In such a competitive industry it is very important that a student has some experience of working on site, it also gives the student a much better idea of which career path to follow within the industry as there are many. At BAM we also feel that we have a responsibility to help people coming in to the industry as much as possible as they are the future of construction.

“That is why BAM in the North East have formed a National Skills Academy in conjunction with Construction Skills.

“Our Bradford College project is a major contributor to the Skills Academy and will provide many local people with opportunities for learning, development and employment. As part of our employment and skills plan for the Bradford College project, giving work experience to construction students is a key target along with apprenticeships and construction curriculum support activities.”

Tracy Jennings, recruitment manager at Beacon Recruitment & Placement Services Ltd, who placed the students, said: “As we know the employment market is extremely tough and competitive and education isn’t always enough nowadays. Most organisations look for potential candidates to have some work experience related to the role that they are applying for.

“Sourcing suitable placements and work experience is vitally important as it also gives the student the experience within the industry that they have chosen which will help them decide that they have chosen the right career path.

“Ultimately the aim is for the student to showcase their skills.”

The students include Jessica Hart, Sarah Khalid, Aamir Khan, Adnan Sayed, Mohammed Aqib, Basim Rehman, Fehzan Raja Gul, Irfaan Akbar and Mohammed Rehman.