Impressive Achievements at Balfour Beatty for Student, Callum

A driven student here at Hartlepool College has been praised for his approach after securing nationally recognised silver and bronze awards during an industry placement at Balfour Beatty. Callum Barnes, 16, successfully impressed during his two industry placements on the multi-national infrastructure group’s Mandale Road Bridge project in Stockton-on-Tees.

Despite working for such a strong and significant brand, Callum developed his knowledge of the built environment and the construction process impressively. What started as an initial one-week placement last year progressed into him securing an additional one-day a week for six weeks to support his studies with Hartlepool College.

Placements with Balfour Beatty align with Industry Placements, an industry-led accreditation with the patronage of HRH The Prince of Wales, and he achieved the silver and bronze. Callum, from Yarm and a former Conyers School pupil, said: “Overall, my experience has not only been interesting, but it has been exciting as I’ve learned a lot of skills whilst being with Balfour Beatty. The work experience has helped extend my knowledge in the civil engineering side of construction and all the different aspects.”

The Mandale Road bridge project is an important transport link into Stockton town centre, carried out through the Scape Civil Engineering framework to maximise community benefits and leave a meaningful and lasting, positive impact in the local community.
It provided a first-hand experience for Callum to secure live construction and environment experience through shadowing a range of roles on-site, learning about project management, health and safety, social value, and civil engineering.
Callum’s silver award culminated in him delivering professional presentations to the onsite team which focused on a research question linked to the project and summarised his experience on site.

Paul Edwards, Balfour Beatty’s Project Manager, said: “Callum has shown great attributes during his time with us: polite, enthusiastic, inquisitive and he shows a real desire to pursue a career in construction. Thank you, Callum.” 

Callum and Balfour Beatty can decide together whether to head into the summer and try for the gold award having already added two impressive awards to his CV.

Steve Lord, Hartlepool College’s Industry Placement Officer, said: “It has been a pleasure working with Callum on his placement to date. He has impressed with his attitude, his drive, and determination. We are constantly building stronger links with SMEs and larger organisations like Balfour Beatty and we are grateful to Paul and Balfour Beatty for their support to Cal. It would be nice to see more follow in his footsteps. Students are going out for substantial placements in a range of careers and that is important for the College to offer that extra means for the placement. Ultimately it is taking the students to the point where they are employable.”