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How is this for dedication?
Level 3 Painting and Decorating students from Stockton Riverside College have given up their own time during their precious Easter break to get some real hands-on work experience.
The group of 10 students have been helping to transform the hallway and passageway at the Elmwood Community Centre in Stockton.
The project is the latest initiative working with ONsite Building Trust and the group were happy to be doing their bit to help their local community while also brushing up on their skills.
Describing their work as "stunning" lecturer Tony Ferguson said the students have loved the experience.
And the project delivered plenty of learning benefits.
"Things like working independently, planning, teamwork, overcoming challenges and problem solving," said Tony.
"Originally we expected the centre to be closed, but things change and as it was the centre was busier than it has ever been.
"That in itself was a great experience for the students as they had to adapt what they were doing to work around visitors to the centre, taking into account things like health and safety and also just generally dealing with members of the public."
Then there were additional issues such as the height of the ceiling calling for the use of a triple extension ladder and scaffolding.
The savvy team were also quick to negotiate terms when it came to getting the time back in lieu.
"All of that is valuable experience," said Tony. "If you were working in the real world you would have to look at what time you have available for a job, compare it to the client's requirements, and then work it out from there."
Working for three full days, all were provided with lunch each day and presented with a scraping knife and a brush, courtesy of ONsite Building Trust, to thank them for their efforts.
Do you want to learn the skills of the trade?
We are still taking applications for our Painting and Decorating courses starting in September.
Not only will you build the practical and theoretical skills you need to perfect this lifelong skill, but you'll also get plenty of hands-on experience.
Our students learn in our dedicated painting and decorating workshop and take part in lots of external tasks like the Elmwood Community Centre project.
Apply now and you could build the skills for your future career.
Level 3 Painting and Decorating students from Stockton Riverside College have given up their own time during their precious Easter break to get some real hands-on work experience.
The group of 10 students have been helping to transform the hallway and passageway at the Elmwood Community Centre in Stockton.
The project is the latest initiative working with ONsite Building Trust and the group were happy to be doing their bit to help their local community while also brushing up on their skills.Describing their work as "stunning" lecturer Tony Ferguson said the students have loved the experience.
And the project delivered plenty of learning benefits.
"Things like working independently, planning, teamwork, overcoming challenges and problem solving," said Tony.
"Originally we expected the centre to be closed, but things change and as it was the centre was busier than it has ever been.
"That in itself was a great experience for the students as they had to adapt what they were doing to work around visitors to the centre, taking into account things like health and safety and also just generally dealing with members of the public."
Then there were additional issues such as the height of the ceiling calling for the use of a triple extension ladder and scaffolding.
The savvy team were also quick to negotiate terms when it came to getting the time back in lieu.
"All of that is valuable experience," said Tony. "If you were working in the real world you would have to look at what time you have available for a job, compare it to the client's requirements, and then work it out from there."
Working for three full days, all were provided with lunch each day and presented with a scraping knife and a brush, courtesy of ONsite Building Trust, to thank them for their efforts.
Do you want to learn the skills of the trade?We are still taking applications for our Painting and Decorating courses starting in September.
Not only will you build the practical and theoretical skills you need to perfect this lifelong skill, but you'll also get plenty of hands-on experience.
Our students learn in our dedicated painting and decorating workshop and take part in lots of external tasks like the Elmwood Community Centre project.
Apply now and you could build the skills for your future career.
