Property Services
Programme overview
We are excited to offer an opportunity for Year 12 students to gain hands-on experience within our Property Services Department. This placement provides valuable insight into the critical role of facilities management in supporting the Institute’s research and operations. Students will gain exposure to practical skills in facilities upkeep, general maintenance, and an introduction to health and safety practices within a professional working environment.
What you will do
During the placement, students will have the chance to:
Observe and participate in:
- Learning about common workplace hazards and basic health and safety risks in a professional environment, including how to identify and mitigate risks under supervision.
- Assisting with low-risk maintenance tasks, such as organizing tools, preparing materials, and helping with minor, non-mechanical repairs under direct supervision.
- Supporting the team with workshop organization and learning how to keep workspaces tidy, clean, and hazard-free.
Work alongside professionals to learn about:
- The importance of risk assessments and how they are implemented to ensure safety in day-to-day operations.
- How facilities are managed to support scientific research, such as monitoring general building maintenance and identifying areas that need upkeep.
- Basic techniques for maintaining tools and materials, such as safe handling, cleaning, and storage, in line with health and safety protocols.
Engage in hands-on projects:
- Assisting with routine inspections of communal spaces and identifying low-risk maintenance tasks such as checking for worn surfaces, ensuring fixtures are functional, and reporting any issues to supervisors.
- Helping with basic non-electrical tasks, such as restocking supplies, labelling items, and supporting safe manual handling exercises (e.g., moving light materials).
- Supporting supervised general housekeeping, such as organising workshop equipment, clearing clutter, and ensuring walkways remain clean and safe.
About the Property Services team
The Property Services team plays a vital role in ensuring the safety, functionality, and upkeep of the Institute’s facilities. The department maintains the building’s infrastructure, manages systems like heating and ventilation, and ensures that workspaces remain safe and compliant for staff and visitors.
Through this placement, students will gain a first-hand understanding of facilities management operations while learning key principles of workplace safety, organization, and basic maintenance skills.
Risk assessment
| List of tasks | High risk | Medium risk | Low risk | Control measures |
| Office Tasks | X | Student to be acompanied and supervised at all times. Carryout a quick DSE assessment if sitting at a desk for a period of time. Ensure the student is not exposed to electrical items that are not already PAT tested | ||
| Maintenance Tasks | X | Student to be acompanied and supervised at all times. Ensure student is not subjected to any electricity, steam, hot sufaces, water, chemicals, etc. and PPE is worn | ||
| Security Tasks | X | Student to be acompanied and supervised at all times. Ensure student is not subjected to any electricity, steam, hot sufaces, water, chemicals, etc. and PPE is worn. | ||
| Facilities Tasks | X | Student to be acompanied and supervised at all times. Ensure student is not subjected to any electricity, steam, hot sufaces, water, chemicals, etc. and PPE is worn. |