MK College Students Complete Internships with NHBC in Knowlhill

Pictured L-R:  Tyrese Ndlovu, Umayrah Ali, Temple Adesina, Linda Elberts,  Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Business Partner at NHBC, Steve Wood CEO NHBC, Josephine Kornijenko, Ciara-Leigh Filer-Hobbs, Abraham Amoo.

Six Milton Keynes College students have completed internships at the National House-Building Council’s headquarters in Knowlhill, gaining hands-on experience across multiple departments.

The programme, now in its second year, offers placements in finance, customer services, human resources and operations. Several students from last year’s cohort went on to secure fixed-term or permanent roles with NHBC, the UK’s leading provider of new home warranty and insurance.

Gary Seymour-Griffiths, work placement co-ordinator at Milton Keynes College, said: “It’s a really successful and prestigious programme for our students to be involved with. NHBC looks after them really well, gives them a great grounding in business, and pays them properly too — significantly above the required level for their age.”

Students went through a two-stage interview process before joining the scheme, which included opportunities to shadow NHBC building inspectors on site, handle customer enquiries and lead their own projects.

Linda Elberts, diversity, equity and inclusion business partner at NHBC, said: “The candidates gave our interviewers a difficult job in choosing who to take, and they did themselves and MK College proud. One interviewer said the quality of candidates was even better than last year, which they hadn’t thought possible.”

The students were presented with completion certificates at a celebration event on 21 August by NHBC chief executive Steve Wood, followed by a networking lunch with senior leaders from NHBC and the college.

Intern Umayrah Ali said the experience had been “a significant impact on how I see my future career”, adding: “It’s made me realise that this is exactly the kind of work environment I want to be a part of — one that is welcoming, supportive, inclusive and genuinely people focused.”

Linda Elberts added: “As a local employer, NHBC is proud to partner with Milton Keynes College to provide the next generation with the skills and support they need to succeed in the workplace. NHBC employs more than 1,300 people and has many recruitment opportunities.”