A student gained valuable experience after completing a six-month work placement with a construction company.

Josef Nicolls, a student studying civil engineering and construction at Bridgwater and Taunton College, completed the placement with the RK Bell Group, a construction company in Bridgwater.

This was part of the T Level programme which takes students from classroom-based theory to hands-on, on-site experience.

The scheme is part of a recent addition to the national curriculum.

Nick Bell, managing director at RK Bell, said: "With major investments flowing into Bridgwater, the future of local construction looks brighter than ever.

"The RK Bell Group nurtures young talents through work placements, equipping them with hands-on skills and real-world industry insights.

"We're proud to help build the next generation of construction professionals right here in Bridgwater."

Mr Nicolls said: "Work experience is so much more valuable than just writing it down and being in a classroom.

"A lot of things aren't the same on paper as they are in real life, and you don't fully understand anything until you actually do it."

John Wake, business and relationship manager at Bridgwater and Taunton College, added: "Bridgwater and Taunton College is pleased to offer a varied range of T Level programmes.

"For the course and the student to succeed, a close collaborative approach between the college and the employers is necessary.

"We need the assistance of companies like the RK Bell Group to provide the time and direction for the student to follow very clear guidelines to give real-life experience of the workplace.

"It does take time and commitment but ultimately pays off in the long run.

"I would like to thank the RK Bell Group for taking the time to host Josef and we hope that this should act as an inspiration for other companies to follow suit."