Contact | Mar 12 Novus

43

SOUTH WEST

Southampton students adopt speed dating approach to meet industry professionals

Some of the final-year

students who benefited from help from CIOB members

Construction management students at Southampton Solent University were recently given a helping hand with their final-year projects by CIOB members. At a dissertation workshop, industry professionals

met with the students to assist them with their research for their final-year project. Chris Moss, Novus Hampshire chair a Solent University Alumni and construction director of Evolution5, chaired the event. He said in his opening introduction: “In my experience, Solent University students choose excellent industry related topics for their

dissertations, but find it difficult to contact industry professionals. So in an attempt to address this issue, and to make access to professionals easier, we have organised this event with members of the CIOB committee and other professionals.” The evening took the form of a speed dating session in which students interviewed a range of construction professionals from recently graduated assistant surveyors to seasoned professionals with more than 20 years’ experience. Simon Hodges, chair of the Hampshire Centre of

Bristol event kick-starts South West Novus

The South West Novus Group held the first of two launch events in the region in January at the Frenchay Campus of the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol. The event was well supported with more than 60 people attending from all parts of the industry including contractors, consultants and students. The event was hosted by the Novus

committee and its chair, James Halse MCIOB, gave a presentation outlining the group’s aims and upcoming events. Halse commented: “It was a great start for the group and we were

very pleased with the attendance and positivity toward the upcoming events. “We want to make a real difference to young

construction professionals and students in the region and look forward to the future. On behalf of the committee we’d like to thank those who attended and particularly UWE and City of Bristol College who have shown great support.”

For more details on Novus South West email jameshalse@robinson-white.com or call 07841 122549

Venue: UWE’s Frenchay campus

the CIOB, said: “The committee and I agree that this kind of direct engagement is great and we know we can make a real difference in supporting the students.” The students reported that they received valuable advice and guidance from CIOB members related to their project topic, but also an insight into life as a construction professional. Another event is planned.

For information on events in the South West contact sholborn@ciob.org.uk