Despite talks of a downturn in Queensland's property development industry, the Witt Property Group has taken on a number in interns for the remainder of 2009.
The Brisbane-based developer has recently established a partnership with Bond University's Property and Sustainable Development faculty that will see a number of interns receive hands-on experience at our development site at 1 Marine Parade, Mission Beach.
Two interns recently travelled up to Mission Beach and spent time under the care of Witt Property Group Directors Warren Witt and Shelly Brushett.
Interns Sebastian Kesby and Timothy Todd are currently undertaking studies in property and development, as well as urban development and sustainability at Bond University's Gold Coast campus.
Witt Property Group Director Shelly Brushett says professional experience offers a mutually beneficial situation for employers and students.
"It enables students who are proactively seeking hands-on experience the opportunity to do so," says Shelly.
"Organisations are in turn rewarded with enthusiastic students who are eager to learn."
Witt Property Group Founder and Director, Warren Witt, says students undertaking work experience quickly learn responsibility for their actions in the workplace, as well as the expectations to meet deadlines.
"Rather than at uni where they observe others, work experience students are expected to be part of the project team," says Warren.
Students also get a taste of how their chosen field operates in the 'real world'.
"Our placements aim to change their preconceptions of the workplace - no two days are ever the same.
"The most important lesson our students learn is that it's ok to make mistakes as its all part of the learning experience."
Ms Brushett says work experience also enable students to get out of the classroom and face the day-to-day challenges of the industry.
"By working on site at our developments, they see first hand what processes a development undertakes from start to completion."
Associate Professor of Construction Management and Economics for the Mirvac School of Sustainable Development at Bond University, Dr Rick Best FAIQS MRICS MAIB MAGA says work experience exposes students to a variety of roles that exist within their chosen industry that they might decide to pursue when they graduate.
"Any time that students get to spend in their chosen industry is valuable - it gives them a better idea of the relevance of their university studies," says Dr Best.
"It also gives them a better idea of how their industry actually operates."
Construction Management student Timothy Todd says he sought work experience so he would be able to transfer skills gained in his study into the work place.
"Industry experience allows me to be in a better position to understand various elements of a projects lifecycle, such as contracts administration, for when I graduate," says Timothy.
Ms Brushett says work experience gives students the opportunity to experience and cope with the challenges faced in the construction industry.
Since commencing work experience with the Witt Property Group, Timothy has learnt the difficulties faced with coordinating the different tradesmen required for a job, as well as quantities of supply material required for construction.
"I have also learnt that small touches, such as attractive landscaping, can make a huge difference for prospective clients visiting the work site," says Timothy.
Timothy hopes to work in construction management or in a quantity surveying role when he graduates.
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