Oaklands Alumnus Returns to Inspire T Level Construction Students

On Monday, Oaklands College was delighted to welcome back former student Luke Hipgrave to speak with T Level Construction Management students about his journey from college learner to Apprentice Design Manager at Bowmer + Kirkland.

Luke completed his Construction and the Built Environment course at Oaklands last year and shared an honest and inspiring account of his progression into the construction industry. His journey has not been without challenges. Originally enrolling on a different course, Luke soon realised, with support from his tutors, that Construction Management was a better fit for his skills and ambitions.

Speaking to students, Luke highlighted the importance of perseverance when finding the right career path. "It’s completely normal for it to take a few tries to find the right direction," he explained. "What matters most is staying determined and not giving up."

Luke also reflected on the setbacks he experienced during his first year, including disappointment with his grades. Through resilience, hard work and the support of his tutors, Jacqui and Abhi, he significantly improved his performance in his second year, achieving a DMM. His success led to an unconditional offer from the University of Hertfordshire, alongside a scholarship contribution towards his university fees.

While studying at university, Luke completed an architectural design project that achieved the highest mark ever awarded to a first-year student on the course, demonstrating the strong foundations he developed during his time at Oaklands.

Alongside his academic achievements, Luke emphasised the importance of gaining industry experience and building professional networks. Last year, he was recognised as Work Experience Student of the Year at the Oaklands Employer Celebration Event after securing a part-time Design Team Assistant role through connections made at a previous employer networking event.

Encouraging students to take advantage of every opportunity available to them, Luke stressed the value of being proactive when applying for jobs, apprenticeships and work experience placements.

"Every application, interview and conversation is an opportunity to learn," he said. "You never know which experience might open the next door."

Luke also spoke about the support he has received from Bowmer + Kirkland and how gaining practical industry experience has helped accelerate his development. He is currently involved in a variety of planning and design projects while working towards a Level 4 qualification in Architectural Design with the company's support.

Oaklands College would like to thank Luke for returning to share his experiences and inspire the next generation of construction professionals. His story is a powerful example of how resilience, hard work, networking and embracing opportunities can lead to a rewarding and successful career.

The College would also like to thank Jacqui and Mark for welcoming Luke to the session, and the T Level students for their thoughtful questions and enthusiastic engagement throughout the talk.