Our Mission Supporting Young Cornish Talent

Desmonde Associates is proud to have supported more Cornish talent this year, including 20-year-old Lucy Whittall who is currently studying Interior Architecture at the University of Brighton and is now gearing up to complete her third and final year studying for an undergraduate degree.

Lucy Whittall, Desmonde Associates, St Agnes Office, Cornwall.

Lucy has spent the past three months working in a full-time, paid role here with our dynamic team of construction professionals, including Structural Engineers, Architectural Designers, Conservation & Heritage consultants, and Project Managers.

“Many more Cornish businesses need to be aware of the abundance of talent we are losing to big corporations in larger cities further afield.

“Here at Desmonde Associates, we are proud to say we are continuing our mission, helping to grow local talent by actively recruiting and paying them a decent salary and providing the individual with invaluable industry experience.

“We are also helping them to succeed here in Cornwall and giving them the option of not having to move away from the place they already call home,” said Adam Desmonde, Managing Director, Desmonde Associates.

More business owners should be harnessing our young talent and providing them the opportunities which enables them to remain or return to Cornwall after their studies, this can be achieved by providing them a route for progression within the existing company structure which works for both the employer and also the employee.

Since working with Truro & Penwith College we have been able to find ambitious students wanting to gain industry experience alongside their studies here in Cornwall.

“During my time at Desmonde Associates I have worked on several projects which have allowed me to expand my skillset and deepen my knowledge of the industry. It has been a real hands-on experience from the start, in which I have engaged with clients, produced reports and drawings, and partaken in site visits.

“As a student about to begin my final year of BA Interior Architecture at the University of Brighton, the experience has been valuable, not only expanding my technical skills but also my professional skills which will benefit me within both my future study and in the workplace, hopefully back here in Cornwall.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working within a knowledgeable and friendly multi-disciplinary team,” said Lucy Whittall.

Another local, 18-year-old Ethan who has been with us working in a part-time, paid role and starts university this week at the University of Plymouth, studying an undergraduate degree in Architecture and hopes to return St Agnes after his studies has said:

“Working with Desmonde Associates enabled me to grow as a person and helped me expand my knowledge within the industry that I am wanting to progress in.

Ethan Allen, Desmonde Associates, St Agnes, Cornwall.

“I feel like this opportunity has given me a head start into my future career and into my time studying at The University of Plymouth. At university I will be studying architecture and due to the level of experience I have gained thus far, will definitely set me ahead of some of my peers.”