Modern Apprentices from Forth Valley College and trainees from Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Rooftec Scotland and Falkirk Council’s Employment and Training Unit demonstrated their skills at the Forth Valley Traditional Buildings Forum event on Thursday and Friday 22-23 June.
The Painting and decorating Modern Apprentices (MAs) showed off their skills to potential new students and the other trainees gave short tutorials and mentored former FVC School-College Opportunities to Succeed (SCOTS) programme students from Denny High School, Braes High School, Graeme High School and St. Mungo’s High School on traditional building techniques at the Falkirk Trinity Churchyard, just off Falkirk High Street, during the free drop-in event.
Members of the public were welcome to meet the apprentices, admire the mastery of their craft, discover the skills that are so important in maintaining the historic environment, or get some advice from experts in building conservation.
There was also the opportunity to find out more about the work that Falkirk THI has been delivering over the past few years to repair and maintain traditional buildings in the town centre, as well as the training opportunities available through the THI project.
John Paton and Kevin Bonner (pictured) both lecturers in the Construction Department at the college were just two of the Forth Valley College representatives delighted to show various techniques on the day.
Ian Morrison, Head of Forth Valley College Department of Construction, said:
“We are delighted to be supporting this initiative and to send our students and staff to demonstrate techniques on the day. The experience will be really beneficial for the students involved and it is a great opportunity to show the general public the high standards of learning we offer here at Forth Valley College.”
Peter Graham, 16+ Coordinator at Denny High School, who accompanied a group of former FVC SCOTS students to the workshops, said:
“The SCOTS programme is an amazing chance for school pupils to try things to see what they want to do. It helps teachers to help the pupils rule things out as well as rule things in. This means that when they do apply for a course it will be a genuine application for something they want to do. Workshops like this event also really help give an insight into what is on offer.”
Julia Ng, from Falkirk Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI), who coordinated the event said:
“Falkirk THI is delighted to support the traditional skills event, which showcases a range of construction skills which are so important in looking after Scotland's historic buildings.
“It is important now more than ever, that we support young people following a path into these trades, to look after the buildings from the past to survive into the future. Our traditional buildings have lasted hundreds of years and will continue to do so with the correct care and attention from properly skilled tradespeople."
For more information visit www.falkirkthi.com
