Coleg Cambria students given chance to build on their skills through Wynne Construction

Students from Coleg Cambria have been offered the opportunity to develop new skills and qualifications thanks to Wynne Construction.

The Bodelwyddan-based construction company has teamed up with the college to offer students an opportunity to develop their skills through five-day work placements.

Following short interviews with the Wynne Construction team, student electrical engineers, plumbers, joiners, bricklayers, and painter and decorators will spend a week contributing to the college’s new £14m Post 16 Education Centre in Deeside.

Having earned temporary CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) cards at the college, the students will hone their skills on site while being mentored by Wynne Construction and their team of subcontractors.

The joinery students will also be working alongside Wynne Construction’s apprentice joiner Stephen Parsonage.

Former Rhyl High School student Stephen, 17, studies joinery at college three days a week, and spends the other two days on site putting his training into practice.

Stephen, said: “I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship. I spend my time in class studying theory, site safety and building standards but it makes a huge difference by being on-site and actually doing the work.

“Even with the cold and wet weather we’ve had, I still love doing the work. Since October I’ve helped with the first fix joinery and we’re now starting the final fit out.

“I’d say to anyone with a passion for a trade thinking about an apprenticeship to stick to what they enjoy doing. That’s exactly what I’ve done, and I’m really enjoying it.”

Stephen is being mentored by fellow joiner and former apprentice Casey Jones, who has progressed and developed his career through Wynne Construction.

Casey said: “I remember how competitive it was applying for apprenticeships when I left college. Hopefully the students from Coleg Cambria will gain some valuable experience, which helps them go on to start successful careers in their chosen trades.”

Chris Wynne, managing director of Wynne Construction, said: “Giving young people an opportunity to develop skills and build a career in construction has always been central to what we do”.

“We have a strong track record of employing apprentices, a number of who have progressed to become site managers within our business. We also encourage and support our subcontractor in doing the same.

“Our arrangement with Coleg Cambria is another way we’re looking to support the skilled workforce in North Wales.

“We hope that the students working on the Post 16 Education Centre will go on to have successful careers, hopefully contributing on other Wynne Construction projects in the future.”

Nick Tyson, Executive Director of Curriculum Engineering & Construction at Coleg Cambria said: “We understand the importance of our students gaining vital work experience to enhance their credentials when they leave college.

“We are thrilled to have joined forces with Wynne Construction to offer these opportunities to our pupils, and look forward to an long-term relationship with them.”

This scheme forms part of Flintshire County Council’s planned investment in education under the Welsh Government’s 21^st Century Schools Programme. Flintshire County Council and local schools are key partners in delivery of state-of-the-art Post 16 facilities to benefit local learners.

For more information about Wynne Construction visit www.wynneconstruction.co.uk.