On Monday 24th November, Gratte Brothers | Building Services Maintenance welcomed a group of MEP students from Capital City College for an immersive “Lunch and Learn” session at our head office. The visit formed part of the college’s mission to give aspiring engineers early exposure to real workplaces, and to connect them with professionals who can show how a career in engineering develops over time. We were delighted to provide early careers support in this way, and were impressed with their engagement with the session.
Makole Sylvia Kankasa, Work Experience Officer at the college, explained the purpose behind these visits, stating that “At Capital City College, we strive to open doors for students to witness engineering in its true form, where ideas become reality and to connect them with passionate professionals shaping the future”. She added that experiences like these give students “knowledge and confidence to pursue careers that make a real difference in the world”.
Exploring Early Careers in MEP Engineering
The session was led by a range of colleagues from Gratte Brothers, who offered different perspectives on early careers, progression and the mindset needed to thrive. Malcolm Basker shared parts of his own journey, from Apprentice Electrician to Project Director, and spoke about the value of curiosity, reliability and attention to detail. Labour Manager, Richard Harris, Managing Director Barney Whiting, and Graduate Project Engineer, Ben Lavery, also contributed insights into project delivery, client relationships and the transition from classroom learning into live environments.
Via the presentation on the day, students were also introduced to the breadth of work undertaken across Gratte Brothers, including maintenance, engineering, project delivery and early career pathways within the Group.
Student Reflections on the Day
Many of the students spoke about how the visit broadened their understanding of career routes within MEP engineering and helped them make sense of how their current studies apply to industry.
Student Hamza Alhasani commented that “after attending the insightful talk held today at the Gratte Brothers building I have found the mechanical engineering side of their company to align with my future aspirations.” He added that the session encouraged him to “follow up and find out more about them as a company and as people”.
Fellow student Yahye Hussein highlighted the value of learning about real career journeys, noting that “I was happy to learn about the different career paths of Ben, Malcolm and Richard and really enjoyed talking to Malcolm about his career.” He explained that he also gained practical insight into interviews and the roles that contribute to an engineering business, describing the session as “immensely motivating and informative”.
Feedback From the College
The college described the Lunch and Learn as “truly inspirational and packed with valuable insights”. Their team shared that the group left with a clear sense of direction and a stronger understanding of the opportunities available in engineering.
Looking Ahead
Sessions like these are a reminder of the responsibility and privilege of supporting the communities we work in. By opening our doors and giving students the chance to meet the people behind our projects, we hope to continue encouraging young engineers to build fulfilling and meaningful careers in the built environment.
Our thanks go to the colleagues who led the session and to our Reception, Facilities and Waterside Chef teams who created a welcoming environment, ensured all dietary needs were met and helped the event run smoothly from start to finish.