Your current browser and operating system is:
( Last Updated: 08-02-2011 )
Construction HR expert helps improve student ‘employability'
As part of an industry wide construction sector initiative, an HR expert from the Midas Group has led a seminar at the University of the West of England (UWE) aimed at maximising students' employment opportunities. 
Bristol based Emma Doherty, HR Manager at Midas Group, met with 20 Year 2 UWE undergraduates currently studying Real Estate, Construction and Surveying to explain what selection techniques employers use and focusing in particular on what employers expect from candidates during interviews.
Emma said: "It was an interactive seminar where I explained how to structure responses to interview questions and how students should emphasise their transferrable skills such as the ability to meet deadlines, juggle tasks, undertake research and plan effectively, were transferrable and very useful in an employment context. "
By the end of the session which took place in early February, the students had designed interview questions and had practiced answering them. The session ended with some essential tips for interviews such as punctuality, preparation and useful questions to ask the interviewer.
Midas Group is a member of UWE's Faculty of Environment and Technology's Construction Consortium which consists of regionally based and national contractors. The purpose is to partner with UWE to maximise the students' employment opportunities after graduation through the University's Graduate Development Programme.
Typically the support has been offering placement or graduate opportunities and inviting students to participate in site visits. Now, due to the economic environment and an inevitable reduction in employment opportunities, the contractors have been looking at broader support such as participating in best practice interviews with students and lecturers and delivering employment related seminars.
Tim Bateman, Employer Liaison Manager at UWE said: "'It's vital that we equip our students with the skills necessary to gain employment after graduation. Through regular contact with companies such as Midas, our students gain an important insight into what the working world is really like. Ideally it raises their confidence levels while at the same time ensuring that they take on the task of finding work more seriously.'
Building Surveying student. Tom Dudley added: "The Midas workshop was genuinely very useful for me, and just at the right time - I am preparing for a job interview next week."