STUDENTS BUILDING THEIR OWN FUTURES AT STOURBRIDGE COLLEGE

Three carpentry apprentices, Mohammed Miah, 23 , Kiran Noor, 19 and Ben Hubbins, 20, have been employed to help deliver the College’s ambition of high quality training facilities for electrical, plumbing and carpentry trades.

“My ultimate goal is to become an architect,” says apprentice Ben, currently studying for his Level 2 qualification. “I’ve been lucky to get involved with some of the more architectural elements through my course and work, but I feel if I go through the construction side first I will have a more rounded experience.”

The £1.1 million project, which started on site in May, is being undertaken by building contractor Speller Metcalfe who have welcomed the apprentices on site.

“As a construction business, apprentices are a key link to training the next generation,” said Des O’Neill, Managing Director at Speller Metcalfe. “By taking this route they have both the skills and experience at the end of their apprenticeship which makes them highly employable in the long term.”

All three students are current apprenticeship students at Stourbridge College, and are using the opportunity on site to further their training by working alongside sub-contractor Bradley Cooper Carpentry and Joinery Ltd.

Ryan Bradley, Director of the carpentry firm explains how they are able to help each student: “They will work with us until the project comes to an end, which on this site includes first fix timber, plywood and other elements.

“I can’t fault them, they work hard and are rewarded in return with whatever tools and experience they need to ensure they can become fully qualified.”

Des O’Neill, Managing Director at Speller Metcalfe talked about the importance of investing in younger people: “Pathways like apprenticeships offer a great opportunity, particularly for younger people. By working with sub-contractors like Bradley Cooper we can provide a solid training platform across the diverse range of sites we work on.”