At Home Improvement & Construction Ltd, supporting the next generation of construction talent is an important part of who we are. As a Surbiton-based building company working across South-West London, Surrey and surrounding areas, we understand that the future of the industry depends on skilled tradespeople, strong training and employers who are willing to give young people real opportunities.

Our relationship with Nescot College began with meaningful engagement in the classroom, when HICL’s director, Andi Drishti, visited the college to speak with construction students about career pathways, site experience, technical skills and the realities of working in the building industry. That first visit has now developed into something even more practical: job fair engagement, work experience placements and apprenticeship opportunities.

Continuing Our Relationship With Nescot College

On 21 April, HICL was delighted to take part in the Nescot College Job Fair. Our team members, Debra and Daniel, had the pleasure of meeting talented students from a range of courses, including electrical, carpentry and bricklaying.

Events like this are valuable because they allow students to speak directly with employers, ask questions about the industry and understand what companies look for when offering work experience, apprenticeships or employment. For HICL, it is also a chance to meet young people who are already developing their skills and showing the attitude needed to succeed on site.

Meet Oscar, HICL Apprentice 

One of the strongest examples of this college-employer connection is Oscar, who studied at Nescot College and is now working with HICL.

Oscar completed a bricklaying course at Nescot, and that training helped open the door to employment. While looking for work, he found out about HICL through the college and online before attending an interview with Andi.

“I’m Oscar. I studied at Nescot College and now I work for HICL. I was looking for work and found out through the college and through some things online about HICL, so I went into an interview and Andy offered me the job. I mentioned my class with Nescot. I did a bricklaying course there and he seemed quite happy with that, so he offered me the job.”

Oscar is now gaining valuable experience on a HICL project where a property is being converted into three flats. Although the role was not initially directly aligned to his bricklaying apprenticeship, his positive attitude, commitment and willingness to learn made a strong impression.

“I’ve been working here at this job. The house has been converted into three flats and I’ve been really enjoying the company.”

Giving Young People a Chance

For Andi and the HICL team, Oscar’s background at Nescot showed that he had already taken positive steps towards a career in construction. “When Oscar came into my office, the first thing he told me was that he had done a course at Nescot College. When he told me that, I was very interested in employing him and giving him a chance. He told me all about the course he did and we have a really good relationship with Nescot College. HICL is proud to be part of the employers engaging with the college and offering opportunities to the next generation of talent in the construction industry.”

Oscar’s story shows the value of strong college-employer partnerships. Quality training gives young people a foundation. Real site experience helps them build confidence, discipline and practical understanding.

Positive Work Experience Placements

HICL has also welcomed other Nescot students for work experience placements.

Albert Steer-Thorpe made a very positive impression on site, although he sadly had to leave after two days because his journey home was taking around four hours. We have made it clear that he would be welcome back at any time.

Jake Johnson Lloyd has also been completing an electrical placement with us. Our electrician has been very impressed with his punctuality, hard work and attitude. Both students are a real credit to Nescot.

Looking Ahead

HICL is proud to continue working with Nescot College and to support young people interested in building their future in construction.

What began with Andi visiting the college to speak with students has now grown into job fair engagement, work experience placements and apprenticeship opportunities. This is exactly the kind of progress that strong college-employer relationships can create.

We would like to thank Nescot College for continuing to connect students with local employers and for preparing learners with the skills, attitude and confidence needed to take their next steps.

At HICL, we look forward to helping more young people move from the classroom to the construction site, where they can learn, grow and begin building their careers.