BCoT construction students learned from the best when associate director for the BRE (Buildings Research Establishment), Andrew Sutton came into college to talk about working in the industry.

Andrew has been lead architect for BREEAM-rated commercial developments and is part of BRE’s ‘Building Information Modelling’ (BIM) team.

His work has won awards including The Royal Town Planning Institute Cymru Award 2013 for Maes Yr Onn, a completely off-grid farmhouse in the Welsh hills. Also, in 2008, his Green House design for Barratt Homes was voted Zero Carbon Home for the Future by a Sunday newspaper.

Andrew gave a detailed talk to BCoT students about how the industry works today. This included an overview of how a building goes from idea to completion, technology in construction, drawing plans for a building and much more.

He said: “I was keen to share some industry knowledge with students looking to work in construction and the built environment. I believe they have learned a lot of valuable information.”

BCoT is committed to giving students opportunities to meet and communicate with people who work in the industry they are training for.

The talk was organised by Claire Sutton, college marketing manager, who said: “I invited my brother into the college to see if we could pick his brains for any sustainability ideas. When my colleagues from our construction departments heard he was in, they asked if he’d share his experiences with students.

“The college believes it has an important role to play in preparing students for the world of work, so hearing from people working in industry can play a really helpful part.”