The start of September 2026 marked the first significant step into the professional world for first-year students on the Construction and Smart Building Engineering degree programmes. During the two-week Construction Work and Introductory Work Placements, students not only familiarised themselves with the study process but also visited construction companies, manufacturing facilities and building sites, where they were able to see the workings of the modern construction sector at first hand.
The aim of the placements was to familiarise students with the organisation of construction work, health and safety requirements, and the processes of building design and construction, as well as to provide an opportunity to explore the diversity of their future profession.
On 2 September, the students took part in ‘Introduction to the Work Placement’ sessions, during which the work placement programme, its main objectives, assessment procedures and occupational safety principles were presented. The first-year students were briefed on the organisation of the work placement, the planned activities and upcoming field trips.
On 3 September, the students attended a lecture by the State Labour Inspectorate entitled ‘Worker Safety on Construction Sites’, which covered the most important health and safety requirements for workers in the construction sector. The first-year students learnt about the main risks on construction sites, preventive measures and the responsibilities of employees and employers in ensuring a safe working environment.
The students then visited the National Stadium construction project in Vilnius, which is being carried out by UAB ‘Naresta’. The work placement participants learnt how one of the country’s largest construction projects is being implemented, how the work is organised, and what engineering and technological
The students then visited the National Stadium construction project in Vilnius, which is being carried out by UAB ‘Naresta’. The participants on the work placement learnt how one of the country’s largest construction projects is being implemented, how the work is organised, and what engineering and technological solutions are being applied.
On 4 September, the students visited the ‘Tautos Namai’ National Concert Hall, a cultural venue currently under construction by UAB ‘Gilesta’. Here, they were introduced to complex structural and architectural solutions, and the stages of the project’s implementation and the technological challenges arising from the construction of public-purpose buildings were discussed.
On 7 September, representatives from UAB ‘KG Constructions’ gave a presentation to the students on the company’s activities, its current projects, the technologies it uses, and career opportunities for future specialists. During the meeting, the first-year students learnt about various areas of activity within the construction sector and heard about the skills required for a successful professional career.
On 8 September, the work placement continued at the PPG Academy of UAB ‘Tikkurila’. Here, the participants were introduced to finishing materials technologies, surface protection solutions and quality assurance processes. The students were shown innovations that contribute to the durability and sustainability of buildings.
On the same day, the first-year students visited the UAB ‘YIT Lietuva’ office at ‘Sky Office’ and one of the company’s construction sites in Vilnius. Here, the students were given an explanation of project management principles and construction digitalisation processes, introduced to sustainable construction solutions, and given an overview of the development of modern residential and commercial projects.
On 9 September, the internship participants met with specialists from Hanner, who discussed the property development process and the work of project teams, explained the responsibilities of specialists, and outlined the scholarship and internship opportunities available to students.
This was followed by a tour of a commercial building construction project in Vilnius being carried out by UAB ‘EIKA’. The students observed the progress of the construction work, learnt about project management processes, the engineering solutions being implemented in the buildings, and the principles of modern building development.
On 10 September, the internship participants visited the Alberto pedestrian bridge, currently under construction in Vilnius. During this educational trip, the students saw how one of the city’s infrastructure projects is being implemented, observed the construction processes, and discussed the technologies used and the specific aspects of organising the work. The trip provided an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the roles of design, construction and technical maintenance specialists, and the importance of their collaboration in the successful implementation of construction projects.
On 11 September, the students presented and defended their work placement reports. The presentations covered the technologies used at the sites visited, health and safety requirements, the principles of project organisation, and trends in smart buildings and modern construction. The students shared their experiences, insights and the knowledge they had gained during their work placements.
Visits to the sites and meetings with specialists helped the students to better understand the prospects of their future profession and the necessary skills.
Acknowledgements to our social partners
We would like to express our sincere thanks to UAB ‘Gilesta’, UAB ‘Naresta’, UAB ‘KG Constructions’, UAB ‘Tikkurila’, UAB ‘YIT Lietuva’, UAB ‘EIKA’, ‘Hanner’, the State Labour Inspectorate and all the specialists who took the time to share their professional experience. This gave first-year students the opportunity to gain a close-up insight into the modern professional environment of construction engineering and smart building engineering, and to better understand the practical value of their studies.
