Chevin deliver construction training to local college

Published by Paula Littleboy for Together Housing Group in Housing and also in Communities

Chevin Skillsbuild is working in partnership with Featherstone Technology College and Wakefield Council’s Alternative Provision Team to deliver construction training at the school’s vocational training centre. 

The construction training programme at FEVA started in September 2011  and students in year 10 aged 14 -15  are offered the unique opportunity of gaining a City and Guilds Level 1 Certificate in construction that is equivalent to 3/4 GCSE’s.  The school first approached Chevin Skillsbuild (part of Chevin Housing Association Ltd) in early 2011 because the school already delivered vocational training in hair, beauty and motor vehicle mechanics and they were keen to expand this provision to include construction.

Chevin Skillsbuild now delivers construction training to 20 young people in Year 10 who will all gain experience and skills in trades such as carpentry and joinery, bricklaying, tiling and plastering.  It is expected that learners completing the 2 year programme will go on to further construction related training, an apprenticeship or employment.

Steve Lumb, Construction Training Co-ordinator from Chevin said:  Since we started the training in September, learners have begun to develop their practical skills and knowledge to an exceptional standard. Learners have taken part and contributed to a major project developing the area outside the classroom to provide hard standing for brickwork and block work practise as well as an area for fencing, decking and general landscaping. They will also work on a scaled down version of a house from digging the foundations to the final fix. Learners have also had experience of basic plumbing and plastering techniques and some took part in a practical demonstration of their brickwork skills at Woolley Hall where they displayed real skill and maturity”.

Lee Beecher a learner on the construction programme said “I am really enjoying the course and working on practical tasks. I want to work in the construction industry and this training will give me a chance to get an apprenticeship and a well paid job when I leave school”

Wayne Parkes, Headmaster at Featherstone Technology College said “It is essential that any part of the curriculum has relevance for the future of young people so that they not only have the correct skill set for employment, but that they can also contribute to the economic well being of a community. In partnership with Chevin Housing, we are able to provide credible qualifications recognised by employers as well as offering choices for young people who may wish to work for themselves.   Throughout the course, I have seen our learners grow and take more pride in themselves and for us it is great that we can deliver all their curriculum choices under one roof”.

Photographed: Two students getting stuck in to some external works to the College.