Rotten sandwich

Re: Chris Blythe's comments (CM, April). Having taken the sandwich route myself, I can honestly say that had I not been totally committed to a career in construction my placement would have sunk my aspirations completely. In 1996 I spent six months cleaning the canteen, site toilets, and offices, all courtesy of my CM experience with Willmott Dixon. For good measure, I was also used as a labourer on site, all for the student-loan busting remuneration of £50 per week.

But for my determination to find a better placement, my 'year out' would have been useless. Luckily, MJ Gleeson rescued me from the most disappointing experience of my life.

The only way to ensure sandwich courses work is if contractors have a genuine interest in training undergraduates rather than exploiting them as cheap labour.