The current economic climate has meant tough times for graduates looking to find work. With graduate employment statistics published this year highlighting that; one in four graduates face unemployment* and for every graduate job available there is a scramble of 270 applicants**. However one resourceful graduate is Ben Mackett who was fortunate to gain employment with City & Country Group as a Trainee Site Manager at their residential heritage development; Balls Park, in Hertfordshire.
Ben who graduated from Anglia Ruskin University in summer 2010 with a degree in Building Surveying said: “Once graduation celebrations had died down, my friends and I came to the realisation that we were faced with the pretty daunting task of finding a graduate job, especially with all the talk of the recession. Throughout my three years at Anglia Ruskin, the most interesting part of my degree was looking at the heritage of buildings. Whilst most of my studies looked at more modern buildings, I was still fascinated with the challenges of older properties, hence when I started to apply for jobs I concentrated on companies who specialise in restoration and conservation.’
“I knew, as with most industries, the best thing for me to do was to gain some work experience. Following a conversation with a family friend I was recommended to approach City & Country Group so I wrote to them enclosing my CV. A few weeks later I was contacted by Helen Moore, who then invited me for an interview for a permanent position as a Trainee Site Manager, which in turn I was absolutely thrilled to be offered and accept. If I had any advice for graduates looking for a post-grad job it would be to thoroughly research the company and tailor any applications accordingly, as I did.”
Six weeks ago Ben started work at Balls Park with it’s famous 17th century mansion, in Hertford, Hertfordshire. The mansion, circa 1648, and the Grade II listed Coach House and Stables, built in 1902, are currently being transformed by City & Country Group into 40 breathtaking apartments, which blend classic architecture with contemporary interiors, and which are set in glorious landscaped gardens and parkland.
Ben’s main task is on-site, day-to-day coordination of the specialist tradespeople who are working to restore the mansion. Ben continues: “It was great to have been offered the position at Balls Park, it is such an interesting development to work on, its combination of historical importance as well as its architectural significance makes the site such a fascinating development for me, I am very happy to be part of its restoration.”
Helen Moore, Managing Director at City & Country Residential, comments: “ We are very pleased to welcome Ben to the City & Country Group team, working on our historic Balls Park development. It was clear from the outset, from his application to his interview, that his passion and enthusiasm for heritage buildings was exactly what we were looking for in an employee. Although the current economic climate is making it difficult for recent graduates to be placed into full time post-grad jobs, Ben is a clear example of how there are still some great opportunities for those who show outstanding passion and determination to get into a chosen industry. Ben has been given the chance to grow and develop his skills and will hopefully become an invaluable asset to the City & Country Group in the years to come.”
The first phase at Balls Park is now complete with prices at The Stables currently starting from £237,500 for a one bedroom apartment and £365,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. For those keen to find out more about purchasing an exclusive new home in The Stables, the on-site sales suite is open daily between 10am and 5pm. For further information, contact City & Country Group on telephone: 01992 551777 or visit: www.balls-park.co.uk.