Students on work experience are proving a hit with Bromsgrove-based housebuilder David Payne Homes.

The company, which employs 54 permanent staff in a range of roles from sales to carpentry, provides an educational adventure for GCSE students on work experience placements from local schools.

Four pupils have spent a week each with the housebuilder during the past 12 months experiencing the different departments and aspects of the industry, even getting to visit building sites and finished showhomes. However, it is not just the students who benefit from the opportunity.

Paul Cranidge, managing director, said: "We feel like we are doing something towards the future skill set of the construction industry and, at the same time, keeping ourselves abreast of what children are being taught in school these days. For the student, the biggest learning curve tends to be the level of concentration required throughout the entire working day. Being in an all-adult environment is a bit unusual for the vast majority of teenagers, too."

The taste of working life was well received by the students, especially by 16-year-old Ben Harrison, who was taken on as a student last year for the usual period of one week. He got on so well that he was asked if he would like to continue his learning experience and earn a bit of extra pocket money too.

He said: "They've been unable to get rid of me since. When I applied for my work experience placement I was particularly interested in property development and was over the moon to achieve my place at David Payne Homes. I've learned a lot about the industry and recently enjoyed the sales launch of a development where I got to experience the customer interaction side of things as well."

Work experience placements are normally arranged at David Payne Homes by the school the student is attending.

Schools can get in contact with the company by calling Elaine Trevis on 01527 570 100.