RADIAN Homes’ Quebec Park housing development team in Bordon is helping ignite passion for the construction industry among Mill Chase Academy students.

The 100-home estate on the former Quebec Barracks site is already an employment hub for tradespeople from the area, now Radian’s Employment, Support and Training (EST) team is working with academy students.

After a visit to the building site last year, seven Year 10 students at the Mill Chase Academy Construction and Design department, took part in the Radian and Drew Smith Construction Competition.

They created flower planters to go outside Quebec Park’s new community café, which will bolster Bordon’s ‘healthy town’ ethos by serving fresh, healthy food.

Employment and Training Manager at Radian Chris Adams said: “We launched the competition to generate interest amongst the next generation of construction workers.

“As we develop Quebec Park over the next five to ten years, there will be a huge number of job opportunities for local people.

“Our aim is always to build high quality housing and to do so, we need young people to join the construction profession with fresh skills and a passion for the sector.

“The students created some amazing work and showcased the talent within Bordon. We were blown away by the standard of the work and have no doubt that all the students will go on to have very successful futures.”

After four hours creating their pieces, first prize of a mountain bike, donated by Radian, was awarded to Mill Chase student Jake Mount (16), from Bordon.

Second place went to George Lawes (16), of Bordon, and Jasper Wilkinson (15) from Alton, who were both awarded start-up tool kits by Drew Smith.

Head of construction and design at Mill Chase Academy Noel Thompson said: “A big thank-you to Chris, Radian and Drew Smith.

“The students had a wonderful time and it was a great opportunity for them to get competitive and have fun while learning from industry professionals. “

The new homes are designed to be highly energy efficient and encourage sustainable living.

Quebec Park will also be home to a community employment hub, which will use the refurbished Centurion and Chieftain buildings, as well as a village green. Bordon Inclosure, an area of woodland for the community to access adjoins the site.

For details, visit www.radianhomes.co.uk/quebec park/