Cardiff and Vale College lays the foundations for a future career with schools Design and Construction Challenge

The next generation of construction technicians have had their skills tested at a special Design and Construction Challenge held at Cardiff and Vale College.

More than 70 pupils from eight schools from across Cardiff and the Vale took part in the challenge which was held at CAVC’s Cardiff Construction Training Centre and its Barry Campus. Ysgol Gyfun Plasmawr won the Cardiff competition and a team from St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School were the winners in the Vale heat.

The teams of Year 10 pupils were split into contractors with a Project Manager then given a plot in which they each had different tasks, from paving the floor through to designing and creating a tile mosaic and putting up fencing. The competition is designed to give school pupils a taste of the various tasks involved in the construction industry and to show the value of vocational education.

Mr Bright, a Product Design Teacher at St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School, said: “The experience, which included a traditional builder’s breakfast, gave pupils a fantastic insight into the world of construction and the range of potential career opportunities that are available in industry.

“The day was a huge success and showcased a high standard of work from all participating schools. I would strongly recommend other schools throughout Cardiff and the Vale getting involved.”

“We didn’t really know what to expect from the day,” St Richard Gwyn pupil Molly Gunney said. “No-one in the team had any previous experience of brickwork, carpentry, wall and floor tiling or being a Project Manager and it was the first time our school had entered the competition.

“By the end of the day we had experienced it all and ended up winning the event. It was an amazing experience.”

“I had now idea I could tile and certainly didn’t think I would enjoy it, but I did,” fellow St Richard Gwyn pupil Charlotte Adams added.

St Richard Gwyn pupil Connor Club said: “I really enjoyed the event. I was the Project Manager and got to oversee all the different trades working.

“There were so many different skills needed for each job and I learnt so much about each one. It certainly gave me a great insight into the Construction industry.”

Ysgol Plasmawr pupil Niamh Davies said: “The day was great fun. I learned how to tile and how to measure and cut materials precisely.”

“It was very interesting and I enjoyed the experience of gaining an insight into the world outside school and what the College can offer,” said Ysgol Plasmawr pupil Corey Baldwin.

Ysgol Plasmawr pupil Paige Lewis added: “It was fun, excellent and different to normal. A great experience!”

The CAVC Design and Construction Challenge was generously supported through sponsorship from ISG and Lovell. Jon James, ISG’s Western regional director, said: “It is important to ISG that we continue to support schools and colleges in the area, so sponsoring this event is something we are very proud to do. I’m glad that it went well and congratulations to both St Richard Gwyn High School and Ysgol Gyfun Plasmawr.”