Graduate Work in the Ribble Valley

Nick Crouch, University of Sheffield

I am a graduate from the University of Sheffield, in Landscape Architecture. I started the Unite with Business scheme in March 2011 with Sunderland Peacock Architects, in Clitheroe, Lancashire. Unite gave me the chance to get my foot in the door and show off the skills I gained at University. After my initial four weeks the business offered me some contract work - this provided some great real life examples for my final year studies and portfolio. I finished working there in September 2011, to go back to University for one more year, and I potentially have a position there when I finish next summer.

I’ve developed my skills in a range of areas relevant to my course including: detail landscape design, conceptual design, organisation of planning applications, report writing, delivery of presentations and high quality graphic design. Possibly best of all is the range of professionals I’ve met, learnt from and will have as ongoing contacts if I work in the region.

I’ve worked on a load of great schemes. Most notably is a hotel development I’ve worked on off the A59, near Sawley. I pushed a landscape design in which we will plant over 900 trees, large expanses of wildflower meadows and a reed bed habitat. The landscape design and associated ‘landscape and visual impact assessment’ were instrumental in the process of gaining planning permission. If the scheme goes ahead it will be a 38 bedroom hotel with restaurant and spa facilities, acting as a tourist attraction for the local area, and creating 85 jobs for local people.

Prior to engagement with the Unite with Business team I had been looking for a chance to work with an architectural business but had struggled to find anyone that was able to offer me any activities. The scheme has been of great benefit to me and now, as a result of working on the programme, I have a potential job offer when I finally graduate, I have developed some great skills, knowledge and, most importantly, industrial experience that will serve as a fantastic platform to launch my career.

I would recommend the Unite with Business programme to all graduates, take a look and see whether there is something that you can get involved with. In the long term it could be the thing that helps you to get that job!

Nick Crouch