Student Alfie shares inspiring experience on Yeovil College’s £60 million transformation led by BAM UK & Ireland
A young Progression Pathways student from Yeovil College has shared his personal reflections on the transformative redevelopment of the college campus, currently being delivered by BAM UK & Ireland as part of a £60+ million investment funded by the Department for Education (DfE).
The redevelopment project, which broke ground in November 2024, is set to revolutionise the educational experience for students across Somerset and North and West Dorset. The new campus will feature a state-of-the-art sports centre, a technical construction centre, and a modern teaching hub housing commercial outlets, salons, restaurants, and curriculum-wide learning spaces. The development will expand the college’s footprint from 18,000m² to 21,700m², replacing older buildings with 12,500m² of new facilities designed to support local talent, innovation, and improve accessibility.
As part of BAM’s commitment to creating social value, the project includes opportunities for students to gain valuable work experience. One such student is Alfie O’Neill, a 17-year-old student with a passion for media, who recently has been undertaking a work experience placement with BAM as the project progresses. Alfie is a wheelchair user and has offered unique insight into the construction project from the perspective of a student at the college.
“My name is Alfie and I am a student at Yeovil College, where BAM is working on a significant DfE funded campus redevelopment. This year I’ve been on work experience with BAM, learning about communications and media, and how a construction project comes together. Seeing the new college facilities take shape over six months of my work experience has been astonishing to me.”
“What I’ve been learning is that the Big Build Transformation Project (the name we’ve been calling it at the college) is going to be a gamechanger, especially for people in wheelchairs. Life at the college will be easier and more enjoyable because it will make people feel more independent and help them move around the college much more easily.”
“Not only that, but it’s also going to make the learning environment better for all the students because the facilities will be new and modern. These are not just new buildings, I think this project will give the college a better reputation and we’ll see more people wanting to learn at the college.”
“It’s interesting to see that people in Yeovil are interested in what these buildings will look like and to know how it is progressing. When the college is fully transformed it’s going to be a beacon for the whole community here in Yeovil.”
“From my work experience, I can see how much thought goes into making the college a place that works for everyone. I never thought I would get to be involved in a work experience project like this. Knowing that the Big Build will give future students the best possible opportunities makes me really proud to have been involved. It shows how construction projects can make a real difference to people’s lives and in the wider community.”
Alfie’s story highlights the real-world impact of BAM’s work and the value of educational engagement in major construction and infrastructure projects. His experience reflects BAM’s broader mission to deliver not just buildings, but opportunities that enrich communities and empower future generations.