Member Article

Carpentry and joinery student Tomos, 18, is first to sign up thanks to Wynne Construction training initiative

A teenager has returned to education following a skills taster day and employability workshop organised by Wynne Construction, with the Gwynedd Youth Engagement team and Ysgol Hafod Lon Newydd building project in Penrhyndeudraeth.

Tomos Williams, 18, of Dolgellau, is studying for a Diploma Level 1 in carpentry and joinery at Coleg Meirion Dwyfor.

He enrolled following a construction employability workshop, site visit and skills taster day for NEETs, who are 16 to 24-year-olds.

Other partners in the initiative were CareersWales Porthmadog and Jobcentre Plus.

The Bodelwyddyan-based company offers between six and 11 work experience placements per building project for students and the unemployed, with a requirement to pass the construction standard industry CSCS accreditation. Sites it is currently developing across North Wales include Ysgol Glancegin Newydd, Bangor; the Learning Campus, Bala; and Holyhead Primary School.

Its business and community development manager Alison Hourihane, said: “We are always looking for new ways to encourage people to think about construction as a career. We are keen to expand the reach of our work experience opportunities we offer.

“Health and safety is the priority at Wynne, and we require anyone starting a work placement to have a CSCS card.

“We set up this workshop to encourage newcomers to obtain the card, so that they don’t miss out when placements come up.

“Wynne Construction is extremely fortunate to have a good working relationship with Coleg Meirion Dwyfor. Its staff are extremely accessible and supportive in setting up placements. Their students really benefit from the college’s good links with employers.”

Tomos was brought up in Porthmadog and Tamworth, Staffs, before returning to mid-Wales. He attends college three days weekly, and works in a café the rest of the time to earn his living.

He said: “I decided to get a good trade so chose carpentry. Careers Wales gave me the chance to go to the workshop and taster day run by Wynne. I liked it and enrolled at college. I’m really enjoying it.”

Lecturer and workshop instructor Meirion Edwards said: “We have got a good construction company partner in Wynne, because it enables site visits and is good at taking work experience students.

“Students can learn about the real world of work. They see different ways of doing things, they learn the work ethic and they grow during the course of the placement.”

Sharon Williams, youth engagement manager for Gwynedd Council and Careers Wales, said: “The outcome for Tomas has been very positive and has enabled him to start on his career path within construction.”

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

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .