Lleyton is currently studying a T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning at Bradford College, and his industry placement with Robertson at the Airedale Hospital redevelopment project has given him the chance to put his learning into practice on a live construction site.
“My name’s Lleyton and I’m studying a T Level in Design Survey and Planning at Bradford College,” he explains. “It’s been good so far. I’m just learning a lot more about what it actually is because you can only learn so much in the classroom. But to be out there and see it all step by step… you can learn a lot.”
Learning on a Live Construction Project
Working on the Airedale Hospital redevelopment has exposed Lleyton to a variety of real tasks. “We’ve just finished strip outs of two wards to completely renovate and modernise them,” he explains. “We finished wards six and fourteen, and now we’re starting on wards one and nine.” He’s also gained insight into early-stage design work on a project at Teal House.
A big part of his weekly role is helping track progress on site. “I’ll do a daily site walk with OpenSpace, using a camera on my head, to see the progress every week.” Alongside this, he shadows site managers and takes on small responsibilities that help him understand the flow of work on a major hospital scheme.
Developing Professional Skills and Confidence
The placement has had a big impact on Lleyton’s communication and confidence. “You’ve got to communicate a lot in construction,” he says. “Being around a lot of people and talking to people has really helped my communication skills.”
He’s also trusted with practical tasks, like checking areas of the site and reporting anything that needs attention. “Sometimes I’m asked to go and check on the site and report if I see anything done wrong. It’s nice to be trusted like that.”
Connecting College Learning With Real‑World Practice
For Lleyton, the balance between classroom learning and industry experience is what sets T Levels apart. At college, he studies detailed technical content, including the more challenging elements. “We do quite complex maths as part of the course,” he says, which directly supports the planning and measurement tasks he handles on site.
He believes the two environments complement each other: “There are some things I learn in class that I won’t learn on site, and other things you learn on site that you won’t learn in the classroom. That’s why it’s good to be able to do both.”
New Technical Skills and Hands‑On Experience
Through his placement, Lleyton has developed practical construction knowledge that would be difficult to gain in a classroom alone. “I can do quite a few new things on site now,” he says. He has also learned to use important digital tools like AutoCAD and OpenSpace, skills that will support future study or employment.
Preparing for Future Progression
The T Level has helped Lleyton feel ready for his next steps. “I feel like I’m now a lot more ready than I would have been without the T Level,” he reflects. He’s considering a degree apprenticeship or university, with quantity surveying and project management among his preferred routes.
Advice for Future T Level Students
When asked what he would say to someone considering a T Level, Lleyton doesn’t hesitate: “I’d tell them to go for it. With the work placement you gain a whole lot of insight and experience. It can really help you develop into your chosen field.”
A Unique and Valuable Learning Experience
Summing up his journey, Lleyton describes his T Level as “a unique but valuable learning experience.” His time at Bradford College and his placement with Robertson have given him technical skills, confidence, and clarity about the kind of career he wants to build, proving the strength of T Levels in preparing young people for skilled roles in construction.
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