A Coventry student is celebrating landing his first job after impressing bosses in an industry work placement.

Unearthing a career with Geotechnics

Milo McInerney, 18, has secured a job as a lab technician at specialist construction firm Geotechnics after completing a work experience programme through Coventry College’s industry placement team. Milo, who studied Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science at Coventry College, was looking for a role that combined his interests in environmental science and lab work.

After an opportunity arose to work with the ground engineering company, Milo applied for the position and was selected from a competitive shortlist of candidates. During his week-long placement, Milo worked with engineers and technicians at the company’s Coventry laboratory.

Milo shadowed a member of the lab testing team, testing soil to find out its plasticity index and particle size distribution – which are used to determine the ground’s suitability for road and paving designs. Throughout his placement, Milo impressed the team with his professionalism and enthusiasm and was subsequently offered a job in the lab team following his studies.

Having settled into his first job over the summer, Milo is now continuing his work in soil testing and sample preparation, while also learning new skills in strength and compaction testing.

Offering students practical work experience

Milo said: “Working with the college’s placement team was a great experience, they were really supportive in guiding me through the process and helping me secure a brilliant opportunity at Geotechnics.

“The college team supported me both during my placement and gaining employment after my course, so I am thrilled to return to Geotechnics and develop my skills in a full-time job.”

Coventry College’s industry placement team works with local businesses to give students opportunities to develop their skills and gain experience in a vocational setting.

Jas Atwal, Industry Placement Team Leader at Coventry College, said: “It is wonderful how Milo’s work placement with Geotechnics has helped him secure his dream job.

“We offer a variety of work experience programmes and work closely with local industry partners to offer our students valuable vocational experience in their desired field – and Milo’s hard work has led to some fantastic results.”

Rob Webster, Director at Geotechnics, said: “It has been great welcoming Milo to the team following a successful work placement.

“He is a hardworking and conscientious colleague, and we are delighted to be working with Coventry College to offer more students practical experience in an industry that compliments their studies.”