Matthew Barnfather

I completed a 10 week placement at Hounslow Highways in the Design and Construction department. During this time I worked closely with the team and with contractors.
I helped with every stage of the contracting process from speaking to clients to discuss works, to pricing building and checking the completed works.
I learnt essential skills such as communicating with clients and contractors in order to complete works correctly and efficiently. I also learnt leadership skills by leading the installation of speed cushions during a week long programme of works.

During my 8 week placement with Ringway Hertfordshire, as part of my Eurovia sponsorship, I spent time in two divisions of the company. The first 4 weeks were spent with the highway maintenance division. Here I learnt about the practical side of identifying issues with highways, and learning how to take the appropriate action to rectify them. I also worked as part of a team to achieve this but also investigated potential highway defects independently by the end of my placement.

The second 4 weeks of my placement were spent in the street lighting division. Here I assisted and shadowed members of the team, learning how electrical services are implemented in highways. I not only learnt about the maintenance of highways but also the construction of new services and facilities.

I did a two week summer placement with Demand where I helped to design and manufacture products for people with disabilities. Due to the unique needs of individuals, the designs had to be unique to the user, therefore creative and unique thinking had to be used. I learnt lots of CAD skills about designing products and how to make the CAD file accessible to other users later on. I also learnt CAM skills and how products could be made safely and efficiently for production.