The Construction Project Management Course at Jamaica College, sponsored by Gore Developments Limited (GDL) and with Gore Family Foundation (GFF) coordinating, is now hosting its fourth session and moving along at a brisk pace.
Already, the enthusiastic students have been briefed thoroughly on construction project management by Dr. Claire Sutherland, “schooled” in architecture by Ms. Doris Gross, after which Mr. Peter Jervis’ took over as he imparted his considerable expertise on civil engineering.
The course has now progressed to the topic of land surveying as outlined by commissioned land surveyor, Mr. Ian Johnson, a JC ‘Old Boy’ himself and one who is more than happy to give back to his Alma Mater! Every Tuesday, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the JC boys, who are very keen on learning all there is to know about this topic.
At the March 21 session, Mr. Johnson treated the boys to a demonstration on exactly how a ‘total station’ works, a vital piece of equipment used in land surveying and which was greeted with keen interest by all class members. In his own words Mr. Johnson finds his students: “young gentlemen, being very mannerly, attentive & engaging”.
Every week, the boys appoint a student whose job it is to take notes on what was learned in each class. One of the students is also on hand to act as the weekly ‘Google Manager’, and he is assigned to research the pertinent online links provided for all aspects on the particular topics under discussion in every session and GDL/GFF keep abreast of the course via the students’ reporting.
Next up, as Easter approaches and this term ends, the beginning of the summer term will broach the all important topic of Quantity Surveying. This aspect of the course will be undertaken by Mr. Errol Spence of Berkeley & Spence, well known and established in their chosen field.
During the school’s summer holidays, GDL in cooperation with Jamaica College, is planning for the students to do a two-week stint on-site at the Phoenix Park Housing Scheme at Dunbeholden, Portmore. Under close supervision, the boys will get some first-hand, practical knowledge of how an actual development is planned and constructed so as to properly round-off the construction project management course.
