A number of students from Leeds College of Building have gained invaluable industry insight at a landmark Motorway Service Area.

Morgan Sindall's £60 million Leeds Skelton Lake Services will set a new standard for Motorway Service Areas in the UK and meet high environmental standards on sustainability.

The new services has a 'living green roof', improved pathways linking Skelton Lake's walking routes, cycle paths and nature trails, an RSPB visitor centre and viewing deck, a dog walking and picnic area, an electric vehicle charging station, and an outdoor seating terrace.

During the first phase of the development, 15 Level 3 Construction & Built Environment students from Leeds College of Building shadowed the Enabling Works Contractor, Henry Boot Construction Limited on site management, design, engineering, and quantity surveying.

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Since January, the work-placement programme for all Trade and Level 3 Construction & Built Environment students has been overseen by second phase contractors, Morgan Sindall Construction. The scheme will run until the end of the academic year and has at least one student per week attending a work placement across specialisms such as painting, decorating and plastering, and two student groups site visits per month.

Both companies pledged extra support during the College's Careers Month and for International Women's Day, offering additional placements and industry talks on site and at Leeds College of Building, and further visits for prospective and current students.

When the project concludes later this year, a total of 41 Leeds College of Building students will have worked on site, with some potentially offered full apprenticeships by the construction partners, and 100 students will have attended sites visits throughout the development.

Sarah Muscas, community engagement manager at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: "A project of this size can play a key role in boosting skills across the region it is located, and one of the most rewarding aspects for our team has been collaborating with Leeds College of Building to develop programmes that help students bridge the gap between education and employment. There is no substitute for site-based placements – they bring what you've studied to life and help you understand how your trade fits in the overall success of a project. We've been really impressed by all the students that have worked with us at Skelton Lake Services so far and hope to work with them again on Morgan Sindall Construction projects in the future."