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Construction Lecturer Spotlight: Vipul Shah

Posted on 6th November 2020 at 14:25

West London IoT has the best lecturers around, who have the industry knowledge and experience to ensure you gain the skills needed by employers. Construction lecturers will be teaching full-time and part-time HNC and HND courses that are designed in partnership with our employer partners and Brunel University London.

We have interviewed construction lecturer Vipul Shah, so you can find out a bit more about who may be teaching you.

How long have you been teaching?

"I have been teaching for over 10 years."

What courses do you teach?

"I am a lecturer in Construction and Built Environment within West London Institute of Technology."

What is your previous industry experience?

"I have over 20 years experience in engineering including construction of sugar, tea and textile plants as a Site Engineer. I also have experience in food manufacturing, process industry etc."

What do you enjoy about teaching your courses?

"I am passionate about teaching and keen to pass my experience onto a new generation so that they can see the real engineering world with their perception. I am keen to contextualise subject or topic to engineering principles in daily life."

What piece of advice do you have for students looking to get into a career in construction?

"In the current environment, there are a number of civil engineering projects such as HS2, Crossrail and motorway extensions where civil engineers will be required. There are a number of jobs within the civil engineering industry where you will gain invaluable skills and practical abilities. You can choose to utilise your skills and train further, developing in your career."

What projects can the students get stuck into?

"Students will have an opportunity to work on a project theme set by an awarding body. These projects will create an opportunity to address contemporary issues faced in industry, such as housing shortages. Also projects like improving sustainability through supply chain where students can dip into research and issues relate to environment, economy and society as whole."

What skills and experience do you expect students to have once they finish your course?

"This course develops knowledge and skills covering the construction industry fundamentals. Students will develop vocational skills including study, research, analysis, planning and organisational skills. They will also learn to take responsibility for their own learning, the ability to be flexible and to work co-operatively with others. It prepares students for a range of careers in the construction industry, allowing them to understand the local, regional and global context of construction and built environment and, for those students with a global outlook, to aspire to international career pathways. It provides opportunities to address contemporary issues facing the industry, and society at large; with particular emphasis on sustainability and the environment, recognising the role that construction and the built environment plays in addressing these issues."