From classroom to construction site – Yahya’s work-ex helps build his aspirations

Second-year Interior Design student Yahya Jeebhai recently completed a week-long work experience placement with BAM Construction.

The placement saw Yahya working with experts at BAM, which is constructing the new Calon building on the University of South Wales Treforest Campus. The dedicated Computing, Technology and Engineering facility is due to open in autumn 2026.

Yahya was involved in a cross-Faculty project run earlier this year, which gave interior design students a chance to design a key area of the new Calon building, and, through the contacts made in the competition, was able to secure his work experience with BAM.

Reflecting on the experience, Yahya, from the Vale of Glamorgan, said the placement had given him real-life experience and shown how different the professional world is from university.

“You learn the basics at uni, but what you learn in industry is completely different. You see how people work, how they act professionally, and the responsibilities they take on,” he said.

Yahya, who wants to become an architectural engineer, added that all students should look for opportunities to get some professional experience.

“It’s important to get into the workplace, try hard, and learn. That synergy between study and industry is something many students don’t realise the value of,” he said.

Calon Project Manager Miranda Thomas said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Yahya to the project for his work placement.

“He brought great enthusiasm and eagerness to learn, and it was fantastic to see BAM provide him with valuable exposure to a range of interesting project activities during his time on site.”