THEY may be a few years from full-time work but a group of teenagers at a Worcestershire school have already shown a taste for a career in construction.

The year 10 students from the Chantry High School, in Martley, worked with a building specialist to create a seated courtyard area in the school grounds.

The school, housing provider Nexus Housing, and Worcestershire-based Thomas Vale Construction all contributed time and funding to enable the threemonth project to take place.

After earning a place on the project partly through a Dragons’ Den style interview presentation, the pupils gave up their summer holidays to work on the project.

They transformed an area of scrub land in their school playground so that everyone at the school can now enjoy an attractive outdoor area, which is called Caroll Courtyard after Helen Caroll who is a former teacher at the school.

The programme aimed to provide hands-on experience to pupils who expressed an interest in embarking on a career in construction but were unable to complete work experience on a live building site because of health and safety restrictions.

Daniel Corbett, one of the pupils who took part in the project, said: “It was really good. I enjoyed working with other people and learning new things.

“I am now sure I want a job doing building work when I leave school.”

The pupils had to undertake a health and safety assessment, estimate the cost of materials and labour, set up the construction site and get their hands dirty building the courtyard itself.

Liz Staveley, business services director at West Mercia Housing Group, said: “The students have done a professional job, an impressive achievement in just a few months.

“West Mercia is proud to be able to support these youngsters in learning new skills which could prove invaluable for their future careers.”

Thomas Vale Construction provided building materials and a construction expert to assist the students on site throughout the project.

Carol Appleton, training manager at Thomas Vale, said: “The students met the challenge, completing the project not only on time, but in addition to their other school studies.

“The pupils had a great opportunity to develop a host of skills, from planning and financial awareness to presentation skills and above all a commitment to seeing the project through to completion.