My Reds10 Experience: How a T Level Placement Shaped My Future in Construction

My name is Rileigh Vetori, and I recently completed a nine-week T Level industry placement at Reds10’s London office. During this time, I developed my understanding of the construction industry, strengthened my skills, and gained valuable insight into professional practice.

I am currently a full-time student at Hertford Regional College, studying a T Level in Design, Planning and Surveying. This is a two-year Level 3 technical study programme, equivalent to three A levels, with 80% classroom-based learning and 20% industry placement. A mandatory minimum of 315 placement hours must be completed, making industry experience an essential part of the programme.

The Reds10 T Level programme initially attracted me because of its professionalism and clear selection process. From the beginning, it felt well organised and carefully planned, with clear communication and no unanswered questions.

I chose to pursue a T Level because it helps close the gap between education and the experience employers look for. It has allowed me to take what I have learned in the classroom and apply it to real-life scenarios and roles within the construction industry.

When I began my placement, I set myself clear goals: to gain industry knowledge, immerse myself in every opportunity, and seek challenges that would prove my capability. Reds10 allowed me to achieve these goals and, after completing my nine-week placement, I am proud of what I have learned and achieved. The opportunities I was given far exceeded my expectations. Before starting, I was concerned about being a young student in an office full of professionals and did not want to feel like a hindrance. However, at Reds10 I never felt out of place. There was always someone willing to help or talk things through, which encouraged me to work harder and push myself further.

Throughout my placement at Reds10, I developed many skills, but the most valuable was communication. I learned that difficult conversations can lead to positive outcomes, and it became clear to me that, no matter how much knowledge people bring to a project, effective communication is often reflected in the result.

My typical week at Reds10 varied depending on the role I was working in at the time. I was trusted to work on real projects and complete tasks that were genuinely necessary, which gave me a true feel for each role. I also attended site visits and a factory visit, which gave me a broader understanding of Reds10 and made the experience even more valuable. My favourite part of the placement was making connections with experts in their fields who taught me lessons that no classroom could.

I did face challenges along the way, particularly with my nerves, but I did not let them hold me back. I never turned down an opportunity because Reds10 gave me the confidence and support to know that I could do it. I also found it challenging to complete tasks where I had gaps in my knowledge, but my mentors made sure I had the resources I needed to upskill myself. Two of my favourite projects were creating a hand-drawn retaining wall detail, which was later produced using online software, and drafting a contract for flooring review. The contract task included creating milestones and uploading the necessary documents to Docusign. This was a huge accomplishment for me because I had very little prior knowledge of that process.

One of the most surprising aspects of my placement was how much responsibility I was given. Some people assumed I would simply be sitting in an office completing routine tasks, but Reds10 trusted me with meaningful work and made me feel like part of the team. Since completing my placement, I feel far more capable and informed than I expected to be.

Reds10 undoubtedly helped me progress in my learning and develop my existing knowledge. They asked what I wanted to gain from the placement, what I wanted to learn, and shared industry knowledge from their own experience. There was clearly a high level of attention to detail and care that Reds10 put into supporting us as T Level students, both as a group and individually. Reds10 did not treat me as a checklist; they invested in my education, development, and future career. This placement helped me take an important step into the construction industry and opened my eyes to the career path I would like to pursue quantity surveying. It gave me practical experience, industry exposure, and the confidence to move forward.

My advice to any student considering a T Level is to do it. It is a strong example of how education and the world of work can be connected, allowing students to understand construction in a practical, real-life context. If you are lucky enough to be offered a placement at Reds10, take the opportunity seriously and make the most of every day. I learned far more than I expected, and I believe Reds10 offers an outstanding T Level placement because they not only push students to reach their full potential, but also genuinely care about their development. Their programme is organised, thoughtful, and extremely well run. For my next steps, I hope to pursue a degree-level apprenticeship in quantity surveying.

Overall, my Reds10 placement has been an unforgettable and incredibly valuable experience. The knowledge, confidence, and industry insight I gained went far beyond my expectations, and the care Reds10 invested in me as a student made a lasting impact. This opportunity has strengthened my ambition to pursue a career in quantity surveying, and I will always be grateful for everything I learned during my time there.