Wessex & Channel Islands Hub held its first student challenge recently, as a step forward in engaging students in further education within the construction industry.
Recognising the success of global and national CIOB student challenges, the hub committee tailored an inspiring event to attract talented students.
Leading the event planning was Daniel Cox, the hub vice chair, and committee member Andy Dodson, who organised the event’s logistics.
Their outreach efforts to further education providers across the region resulted in five teams entering this inaugural event.
The challenge centred on a live project site: the redevelopment of a building in the former Royal Naval Cordite Factory in Poole Harbour – a site owned by the Birchmere Group, where Cox serves as construction manager.
This historic location, which is currently under development into a picturesque business park, provided the perfect backdrop for the challenge, combining heritage significance with real-world development complexities.
Students were tasked with transforming an existing building on site into a museum about the site’s history while adhering to set criteria.
To add a layer of authenticity and to test adaptability, a curveball was introduced on the day of the event, with a last-minute change to the brief.
A panel of judges, including Birchmere’s managing director, architect Gary O’Brien (chair of the hub), and CIOB CEO Caroline Gumble, assessed the innovative and sustainable solutions presented.
Weymouth College emerged as the winner, with Havant & South Downs College as runner-up.
The event was hailed as a resounding success, setting the stage for future challenges and reinforcing the hub’s commitment to fostering the next generation of construction talent.
Plans are already underway to make the challenge into an annual fixture.
