Student set for plastering apprenticeship after meeting new boss on skills course

A STUDENT is set for a career in the construction industry after meeting his new employers on a Traditional Building Skills course @colegcambria.

Drew Davies joined Semper Plastering as an apprentice after impressing them while attending the programme at Coleg Cambria.

Organised by Wrexham Council and held at the college’s Bersham Road site, the courses are provided free through the Wrexham Traditional Building Skills Programme.

This project has received funding from Cadwyn Clwyd Rural Development Agency through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Drew, 19, who has just completed an NVQ Level 1 in Plastering, is delighted to be joining the firm.

A former pupil at Rhosnesni High School, he said: “I was absolutely buzzing when they offered the place to me. I really enjoy the trade and thank them for giving me this opportunity.

“I’ll be able to continue my studies on the NVQ Level 2 at Cambria while gaining experience as part of the team, so it’s fantastic news.”

Chad Davies, a lecturer in Plastering at Bersham Road, added:

“Drew has excelled on the course here at Cambria which is why we encouraged him to join the Traditional Building Skills programme.

“As there were business people on the course, he was able to demonstrate his skills, and it obviously paid off.

“Semper Plastering offered him work experience and then an apprenticeship, so we are absolutely delighted for him. The construction industry is incredibly busy and it’s important to bring through the next generation of plasterers, learning traditional skills alongside modern construction methods.”

The Traditional Building Skills programme forms part of the council’s Townscape Heritage Scheme heritage-led regeneration programme, ensuring traditional building skills are used to regenerate pre 1919 buildings within the old part of Wrexham Town Centre. 

Janine Beggan who runs the programme said:

“It’s great to see students learning valuable traditional building skills and then applying their newly acquired expertise in the workplace.

“The construction industry is thriving and plastering has become a more lucrative occupation; however here in North Wales we have a shortage of skilled construction workforce which the Traditional Building Skills programme is trying to boost. Wages in England and Wales have increased 20% in the last 12 months due to a boom in home improvements and house sales.

“We will be running a series of traditional skills courses throughout the year, and if interested I encourage you to get in touch.”

 Latest courses on offer over the next few months are as follows:

• Damp in old buildings 23rd July
• Pricing Conservation 9th August
• Hot mix lime mortars-Advanced 18th June and 15th July
• Stonework and cleaning 16th July
• Roof coverings and flashing’s course 1st July
• Timber Sash Windows 6th August
• Timber course and decay 9th July
• Accredited Level 3 Award in Energy and efficiency 29th and 30th July