Thursday 4 February 2010

Students Building their Future in Construction

Get Ready For Work (GRFW) students from Clackmannanshire laid the foundation for promising careers at a special awards ceremony recently.

A group of nine enthusiastic learners completed their 22 week GRFW Construction programme late in January and gathered at Forth Valley College’s Clackmannanshire Campus on Friday January 22nd for their achievements to be recognised by staff and local employers.

Throughout their course the students were taught basic joinery, bricklaying, plumbing and painting and decorating as well as undertaking a period of work experience with local firms.

The Top Student award went to Alex McGillivray (17) from Alloa, Top Attendance went to Ciaran Docherty (16) from Tillicoultry and the Endeavour Award went to Tony McInally (17) from Alloa.

Alex was also Highly Commended in Joinery and Bricklaying and Pawel Okulowicz (16) from Sauchie was Highly Commended in Painting and Decorating and Plumbing. An award for Contribution to Training for Employer went to Jamie Robertson (17) from Alloa.

On hand to present the budding apprentices with their awards were Craig Peoples from Skills Development Scotland and Kenny Inglis and Eric Westland from Clackmannanshire Council.

Frances Tasker, a Work Based Learning Co-ordinator at Forth Valley College, said:

“The young people in this group have worked exceptionally hard during their 22 week programme. They have gained valuable qualifications and tremendous work experience from a number of companies in the local area and it was great to have the support of Clackmannanshire Council - one of the main employer to offer placements.

“They are a credit to themselves and the local community and have displayed excellent skills in construction, but even more so in employability skills. Two of the group have already moved on to employment and the remainder of the group are aiming to return to college to continue their learning in August 2010.”

All the students on the course were from the Wee County area: Ciaran Docherty (16) from Tillicoultry, Nathan Duncan, Richard Dysart, Scott McLellan, Pawel Okulowicz all aged 16 and from Sauchie and Alex McGillivray, Tony McInally, Andrew Peddie and Jamie Robertson all aged 17 and from Alloa.

Tags: 14-18 year olds, Clackmannan, Construction, Current students, Full-time, Modern apprenticeship