Construction @ Edinburgh College News

Construction News

As part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2016, Edinburgh College hosted a Construction Apprenticeship Open Day at their Granton Campus, providing an opportunity to find about progressing careers in the industry.

Anyone wanting to learn about apprenticeship programmes was invited, including those looking to start an apprenticeship or wanting to get back into work.

Employers and training providers were on hand to provide insight about getting into the industry, and apprentices demonstrated their skills. There was plenty of chances to discuss construction apprenticeship opportunities with employers and college students and staff.

This event also allowed employers who are looking to train their workforce through apprenticeships to learn more about support and funding available as well as how the application process works.

The event took place on Tuesday 1 March from 10am-4pm at Edinburgh College’s Granton Campus, 350 West Granton Road, EH5 1QE.

For more about apprenticeships at Edinburgh College, go to http://www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/Training/modern-apprenticeships

Edinburgh College's construction students celebrated their hard work and success at a World Skills UK achievement event in Glasgow.

The regional awards ceremony recognised the winners of the Scottish Skill Build heats and Skills Show competition from across Scotland, tracking a jam-packed year of success for our students.

The prestigious event, led by CITB, was held at the Riverside Restaurant at City of Glasgow College. The college's music students – a special orchestra quartet - also provided some of the evening's entertainment.

Among the winning students is modern apprentice Jordan Charters, who picked up Gold in the Advanced Painting and Decorating category at the Skill Build Scottish heats as well as a Bronze medal at the Skills Show 2015 in Birmingham. He has also been selected for training for World Skills 2017 with the opportunity to represent Team Great Britain in Abu Dhabi.

He said: "Being selected for squad GB is such a big deal for me. I've started training with my mentor and my main focus every day is getting that World Skills spot. There're only three of us training for it but just one of us can go."

Do you have what it takes to be a World Skills champion? Lecturers or students can register here: http://www.worldskillsuk.org/

Edinburgh College is offering fee courses in traditional construction skills as part of the Gorebridge Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS).

30 March 2016

Edinburgh College is offering fee courses in traditional construction skills as part of the Gorebridge Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS).

The courses in May and June are aimed at building professionals, contractors, apprentices, home owners and anyone with an interest in traditional buildings who wants to gain new skills and knowledge. They will cover repairing and restoring old buildings using appropriate materials techniques.

Anyone wanting to learn how to repair and restore traditional buildings for future generations to enjoy, and have the opportunity to learn about the history and heritage buildings in this part of Scotland, is invited to the following courses:

• Making and using mortars (Three days) - 10, 11 and 12 May 2016

• Traditional masonry repair (Three days) - 24, 25 and 26 May 2016

• Surface repair of stone (Two days) 31 May and 1 June 2016

• Ashler pointing (One day) - 2 June 2016

• External finishes, harling (Two days) – 17 and 18 May 2016

• Limewash and traditional paint (One day) - 19 May 2016

• On-site mentoring at Gorebridge (Three days) – 7, 8 and 9 June 2016

There is also a schools heritage awareness course where local school students can learn about traditional buildings, local history and heritage. This is a five-week course on the following Wednesdays: 11, 18 and 25 May, and 1 and 8 June.

All courses will be delivered at Edinburgh College’s Forthside facility at 24 West Shore Road, Edinburgh EH5 1QE, near the college's Granton Campus.

To book a place or for more information, contact Gorebridge CARS project officer Rod Lugg on 07545 551356 or 01875 823202, or at r.lugg@dalkeiththi .co.uk.

The Gorebridge CARS scheme is funded by Historic Environment Scotland and Midlothian Council, and is supported by the Gorebridge Community Development Trust. The aim is to restore and enhance the historic character of the Gorebridge Conservation Area through grants to assist with the repair of historic buildings, public realm improvements and training, and local community engagement work and projects to promote the history and heritage of the area.

Edinburgh College trainee plasterer Thomas Morgan has sealed the top prize in a UK-wide competition to find the country's best trade apprentice.

24 May 2016

Edinburgh College trainee plasterer Thomas Morgan has sealed the top prize in a UK-wide competition to find the country's best trade apprentice.

The 21 year old, in the third year of his apprenticeship with Fife Council, won the Screwfix Trade Apprentice of the Year title after wowing judges with his passion for the trade and commitment to furthering his skills.

"I'm really where I am today, and being successful in this title and doing well, because of the skills I've learned at Edinburgh College through people like my lecturers Manus Cunningham and Derek Oliver," said Thomas, from Kirkcaldy.

"Both of them are full of passion and knowledge about plastering and the full range of skills in the trade and that's rubbed off on me. I've been given brilliant opportunities by Fife Council and at college I've really learned lots about ornamental plastering in particular, which is not something I do so much in my day job, and I'm getting to see all the different things you can do in plastering."

Thomas came out on top in the final, held at Google's HQ in London, triumphing over eight other finalists from across the UK, including one other Scot. "I felt that I was doing it for me, the college, Fife Council and for Scotland," added Thomas, who is planning to donate £2,000 to Edinburgh College. "I went for the prize after seeing a poster in the Screwfix in Dunfermline, and the college supported me in my application, giving testimonials on the quality of my work. I was delighted to win."

Thomas won a £10,000 business and trade bundle from the UK building supplies giant, and plans to share some of his good fortune with Edinburgh College by making a donation back to support others going through plastering and advanced trade qualifications at the college's Granton Campus. His donation will be used to secure additional supplies for students.

Andrew Livingston, CEO of Screwfix, praised Thomas's drive to improve himself: "Thomas is a brilliant example of a young person who is motivated to succeed as an independent future tradesman and I look forward to hearing about his future success.

He added: "We're particularly keen to support apprentices, on whose shoulders the future of the trade industry depends. This competition reaches hundreds of apprentices and trainees at the start of their careers, encouraging them to strive for excellence in their craft and achieve the very highest professional standards."

John Laing, Head of the Institute of Construction and Building Crafts at Edinburgh College, said: "It is good to see well-known UK construction brands acknowledge the high quality of students we produce at Edinburgh College and Thomas thoroughly deserves this success."

Edinburgh College students are benefiting from strong links with one of Scotland's biggest construction companies, Morrison.

2 June 2016

Edinburgh College students are benefiting from strong links with one of Scotland's biggest construction companies, Morrison.

The latest group to enjoy seeing what they're learning in the classroom working for real included ten students from the second year of the HND Electrical Engineering.

Morrison staff hosted the students on a visit to their £45m Royal Edinburgh Hospital project in Morningside, Edinburgh. The purpose of the trip was to see how the electrical services on a large multi-million pound construction project are planned and installed in the most efficient way possible. The complex site work includes the installation of the main transformers and generators for the important medical facility.

Jimmy Louth, curriculum manager for Electrical Engineering, said: "Our students get an excellent real-world relevant education through our strong links with progressive local employers such as Morrison Construction. We're extremely grateful to Morrison Construction for giving our trainees this valuable experience and look forward to continuing our positive partnership. This visit ties in brilliantly with the design and installations calculations aspects of our well-regarded HND course."

Particular praise was given to Morrison's building services manager James Laville and project skills coordinator Kirsty McFedries, who both worked hard to ensure the students got as much as possible out of their visit.

Kirsty McFedries said: "Morrison Construction are committed to working with local colleges to support meaningful student learning. Visits to our live construction sites enable students to gain first hand insight of the practicalities of construction and put what they learn in the classroom in to a practical context".

If you're interested in getting a start in Electrical Engineering on a course that is well regarded by employers, visit http://bit.ly/1sm72Se

Edinburgh College students are benefiting from strong links with one of Scotland's biggest construction companies, Morrison.

The latest group to enjoy seeing what they're learning in the classroom working for real were ten students from the second year of the HND Electrical Engineering.

Morrison staff hosted the students on a visit to its £45m Royal Edinburgh Hospital project in Morningside, Edinburgh.

Edinburgh College students are benefiting from strong links with one of Scotland's biggest construction companies, Morrison.

The latest group to enjoy seeing what they're learning in the classroom working for real were ten students from the second year of the HND Electrical Engineering.

Morrison staff hosted the students on a visit to its £45m Royal Edinburgh Hospital project in Morningside, Edinburgh.

The purpose of the trip was to see how the electrical services on a large multi-million pound construction project are planned and installed in the most efficient way possible.

The complex site work includes the installation of the main transformers and generators for the important medical facility.

Particular praise was given to Morrison building services manager James Laville and project skills coordinator Kirsty McFedries, who both worked hard to ensure the students got as much as possible out of their visit.

Kirsty said: "Morrison Construction are committed to working with local colleges to support meaningful student learning. Visits to our live construction sites enable students to gain first hand insight of the practicalities of construction and put what they learn in the classroom in to a practical context."

If you're interested in getting a start in electrical engineering on a course that is well regarded by employers, head here.

Seven young people have grabbed the chance to change their lives and start the process of training as electricians through a programme giving career boosts to the unemployed.

29 July 2016

Seven young people have grabbed the chance to change their lives and start the process of training as electricians through a programme giving career boosts to the unemployed.

Two of the group have already secured apprenticeships following the six-week Prince's Trust Get Into Electrical Installation course at Edinburgh College's Midlothian campus.

The course gives young people an opportunity to get the training, work experience and confidence they need to begin careers. As well as supporting people to get their lives on track, the programme is addressing a skills shortage in the electrical engineering sector.

One of the young people involved has overcome homelessness to put his life back on track. Ryan Sutherland, 25, from Lochend once spent a year living in a tent in Seafield but now is in a good position to pursue a well-paid career.

Princes Trust Get Into course

Get Into Electrical Installation is a partnership between Edinburgh College, Prince's Trust Scotland, the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) and SELECT – the Electrical Contractors' Association of Scotland. The Prince's Trust Get Into… programmes are short sector-specific courses aimed at giving young people launch pads towards careers.

Students attended classes at Edinburgh College and each did a week-long placement with local employers.

The students all attended a course completion celebration at the college's Midlothian Campus, attended by college principal Annette Bruton, representatives of the partner organisations, local MSP Colin Beattie and friends and family members.

Principal Annette Bruton congratulated the students on taking control of their futures by taking and completing the course and said she was hopeful she would meet them all again when they returned to the college for the college-based parts of subsequent apprenticeships.

All electrical apprenticeships in Scotland are overseen by the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust. Chief executive Anne Galbraith was one of the driving forces in setting up the course, which is in its second year.

She said: "We have 2,500 electrical apprentices in Scotland but that's not enough, given the demand for skilled workers, and I saw there was an opportunity to provide a new route into employment for people who were perhaps looking for a second chance, who maybe had barriers to overcome. We got together with Prince's Trust Scotland and Edinburgh College and are absolutely delighted with how things have gone, so much so that we're launched a similar scheme, based on this one, in the west of Scotland in weeks to come."

The scheme receives funding from the employers' trade body Select. Seven of the ten students who completed the course in the first intake in 2015 went on to secure full apprenticeships, with two going onto pre-apprenticeship courses and one going into a labouring role in electrical installations. "Our students have a wide range of backgrounds and perhaps just haven't found what they were looking for, or given the opportunity, and many have overcome barriers to take this second chance which is a great alternative route into work," she added.

The course received funding from trade body SELECT. SELECT chief executive Newell McGuinness, who presented the certificates, said: "I've seen some excellent examples of work today and have been impressed by these young people. We in Scotland are doing all we can to address a looming skills shortage and our members have taken on more than 600 apprentices so far this year but there is more that needs to be done to recruit the young electricians of the future and schemes like these are great ways of bringing people in an industry that can give them a lifelong and satisfying career.

"This is an excellent scheme and we are delighted to be involved."

Lee Johnstone, head of corporate partnerships for the Prince's Trust Scotland, praised the backing given to the students by employers and thanked Edinburgh College for the quality of instruction given at Midlothian Campus. "The first programme was a huge success and this year is also looking like a real success. We're confident that we'll get the same outcomes in terms of apprenticeships and for those that are not quite ready, there's the progression route of the pre-apprenticeship course at Edinburgh College, " he said/ "Due to the success of this programme we're also running a Get into Electrical Installation course at Clydebank in the west of Scotland next week. This is testament to the success of this programme and will be a fantastic opportunity for young people in the west of Scotland to really benefit from the programme."

Case studies:

Conor Reilly

Twenty-two year old Conor Reilly from Gracemount has been offered an apprenticeship with the HF Group, which had provided his placement. Conor decided to try for a career as an electrician following a variety of jobs after leaving school at 18. These roles included stints in retail, administration and work as a traffic attendant.

"I'm absolutely delighted," said Conor. "It's about getting my head down now and going for my four-year apprenticeship. I just want to get on with it now and learn more and more about my trade. My eventual aim is to work for myself but I know that's miles off and I'm going to work as hard as I can over the next few years to make the most of the opportunity I've been given."

Derek Agnew, a manager from employer HF Group, said: "Conor really impressed us on his placement and so we're going to give him this chance to make a career for himself. He had what we needed – he was punctual, enthusiastic, asked lots of questions showing he was keen to learn and worked well with the team. We'll get on and give him the technical skills he needs and I'm sure he'll do well."

Derek Agnew Conor Reilly Niven Baillie

Ryan Sutherland

Fellow student Ryan Sutherland, 25, from Lochend, is now searching for an apprenticeship and proud of his achievement in completing the course. Ryan has come through some difficulties in his life following a bereavement when he lost his grandfather and didn't have a positive experience at school. He spent a number of years moving from hostel to hostel, and once spent a year sleeping in a tent in rough ground in Seafield with his dog. "I'm proud of what I've done and I suppose it's my biggest achievement for a while." Ryan's placement was with MDSI at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and involved working at height and installing industrial conduit and wiring, which he enjoyed.

Newell McGuinness and Ryan Sutherland

Maria Videva

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Maria Videva from North Berwick is looking forward to achieving her dream of becoming an electrical engineer, a dream thwarted in her native Bulgaria when she was refused entry to technical college.

"They told me they couldn't have a girl with 120 men on their courses so I said I would leave the country. I did a tourism course instead and came to the UK, where I found work while I looked for opportunities like this course. I'm so pleased I have a chance now to pursue this kind of work and am looking for an apprenticeship."

Maria Videva

Brandon Dixon

Nineteen-year-old Brandon Dixon from Marchmont has also been successful already in securing an apprenticeship through the course.

"I'm starting with William Watt in Tollcross on Monday, so I'll be taking my sister out for a meal this weekend to celebrate," he said. "I'm so pleased I saw this course on Gumtree and got through it." The teenager left school in 2013 and tried an engineering course and then a sound technology course but found it wasn't what he had expected. He was considering taking a pre-apprenticeship course in painting and decorating when he saw the Prince's Trust advert and the technical nature of electrical installation appealed to him. The six-week exposure to the skills required and the placement confirmed his desire to train as an electrician.

Brandon Dixon

It's only been six months since his last award win but Edinburgh College trainee plasterer Thomas Morgan has been named Plaisterers' Guild Student of the Year 2016.

17 November 2016

It's only been six months since his last award win but Edinburgh College trainee plasterer Thomas Morgan has been named Plaisterers' Guild Student of the Year 2016.

The 21 year old, who is in the fourth year of his apprentice with Fife Council, won the Screwfix Trade Apprentice of the Year in May of this year making it a truly award-winning year for Thomas.

His portfolio of plastering achievements and work was deemed the winning entry at the annual Plaisterers' Guild competition which celebrates the highest standards of achievement in training and education within the UK plastering trade.

Commenting on the award, Thomas said: "It's been an absolutely amazing year for me and I'm so happy to have won this award. To secure a second prize after winning the Screwfix competition only a few months ago is amazing and I'm so happy to be recognised in this way again."

Manus Cunningham, plastering lecturer at the college, said: "Thomas has worked extremely hard this year and thoroughly deserves this recognition. The work he produces is absolutely first class and he goes above and beyond to help his class mates. I believe Thomas will really go far in his career and this is just the beginning."

East Lothian's new Construction and Technology Centre, a joint project between East Lothian Council and Edinburgh College, launched today in Musselburgh.

22 November 2016

East Lothian's new Construction and Technology Centre, a joint project between East Lothian Council and Edinburgh College, launched today in Musselburgh.

The project will give school pupils in the region a head start into careers in the industry and will help meet the growing demand for skills.

Fifty seven secondary school pupils from across East Lothian have signed up as the centre's first students and are working towards qualifications that will help them progress to jobs in the construction industry.

The project is running in partnership with major construction firms including Morrison Construction and Hart Builders and funded through the Scottish Futures Trust. The aim is to provide the construction sector with the local skills and expertise it needs to meet demand in the region, with a new community hospital, new and extended school facilities and around 10,000 new homes expected to be built in East Lothian over the next 10 years.

While still at school, students will earn industry-recognised qualifications that will support them toward careers in construction, giving them a platform for further studies, apprenticeships and jobs.

The college is providing the training at the centre, where students are receiving theory and practical training using industry-standard construction equipment. Students work towards the SCQF level 4 Skills for Work Construction Skills or the SCQF level 5 SQA National Progression Award in Brickwork.

East Lothian Construction Skills Centre Launch Event from Edinburgh College Video Unit on Vimeo.

Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council's spokesperson for Economic Development, said: "This project not only addresses an impending shortage of skilled workers for the construction industry but means the students have an excellent chance of gaining employment in their chosen industry at the end of their courses. We are working very closely with industry partners, in particular Morrison Construction and Hart Builders, to make sure the students are learning the correct skills but also to give them a stronger chance of moving on into jobs with these partner construction firms. It's a great initiative which feeds skilled workers into a growing industry, and helps young people gain real career prospects. The first intake of students are doing really well and it will be exciting to see in the coming years even more students coming through the doors and leaving with relevant qualifications. We'll be working with the college and industry to expand the scope of courses on offer for the next intakes."

Edinburgh College's acting head of Construction, Juliet Harkin, said: "It's so important that we give our young people the best possible chance to get into great careers. Giving them the opportunity to gain qualifications while still at school gives them a great grounding and insight into the industry. It also helps smooth the transition between school, further studies and into employment, giving them the confidence they need to make successes of whatever they go on to.

"This is a true partnership between ourselves, the council and employers, so we're able to supply the region and the sector with exactly what they need."

Roddy McLean, health, safety and environment manager at East Lothian-based Hart Builders, said: "Having a centre like this right on our doorstep is ideal as it means we can be involved directly with ensuring these pupils are gaining qualifications which will make them attractive propects for potential employers, including ourselves of course. It's great to see the students so enthusiastic about the courses they're studying and I look forward to continuing this valuable partnership in years to come."

The project builds on the success of academies run by the college, Queen Margaret University and local authorities including East Lothian Council. The academies – under the South East Scotland Academies Partnership banner – give school pupils the opportunity to study for qualifications in Hospitality and Tourism, Creative Industries, Food Science and Nutrition and Health and Social Care.

Next year, the plan is to expand the centre to accommodate considerably more pupils and introduce a foundation apprenticeship in Construction (Civil Engineering) at SCQF level 6.

Edinburgh College HND Architectural Technology graduate and Persimmon Homes employee Stephen Old has scooped the top award at the Persimmon Homes national Young Achievers awards.

11 January 2016

Edinburgh College HND Architectural Technology graduate and Persimmon Homes employee Stephen Old has scooped the top award at the Persimmon Homes national Young Achievers awards. Stephen, who graduated in 2015, scooped the overall Young Achiever Award of 2016.

Stephen was recently promoted from graduate Architectural Technician to Assistant Architectural Technician where he currently works with six sites designing streets, updating and designing details and house types and dealing with building regulations.

Talking about his time at Edinburgh College and his work to date, he said: Gaining the HND was a great help to me understanding the basics on how houses are built and how they actually work. It captured everything I needed when I first started working to get me started and put the learning into practice.

For any students who would like to go straight into work rather than going down the university route I would recommend trying housebuilding. There are not as many architectural technicians within housebuilding so you could say this job is becoming more specialised. It is 100mph every day, keeps you on your toes constantly and you learn about every aspect to building as you will be dealing with site managers and contractors on a day to day basis, visiting sites and meeting building control."

Edinburgh College Painting and Decorating student Jordan Charters is nearing the crunch time of an intensive two-year training programme in preparation for selection to represent the UK at WorldSkills Abu Dhabi later this year.

17 March 2017

The bi-annual competition Worldskills is the largest international skills competition in the world and Jordan is one of only two painters competing for the chance to represent the UK in the Painting and Decorating category. Jordan is up against Jordan Jeffers from Southern Regional College in Northern Ireland.

Competitors spend more than two years preparing for the competition, fitting training around everyday work and study commitments.

College graduate and 2009 WorldSkills Painting and Decorating gold medallist Mark Nevin is playing the Paulie to Jordan's Rocky, and mentoring him through the preparation alongside Peter Walters, a WorldSkills Training Manager.

Jordan has five modules to undertake in preparation for going in front of the UK team selectors between March and April. The skills he is practising are: wallpapering, water-based glosses, speed design, letter and free technique (own design), both indoors and outdoors and in a wide variety of working environments.

Robert Taylor, lecturer in Painting & Decorating at Edinburgh College said: "Jordan is one of three students we have had over the last ten years that have had that extra ability to reach world-class level. There is no doubt that at this level the competition is virtually as big as the Olympics with all the preparation, practice and motivation required to exceed or be successful in securing a medal.

"We have numerous competition winners nationally but to be successful at this level you have to be able to problem solve quickly, think on your feet and cope with people passing you all the time whilst trying to complete tasks to the highest level of quality over a three-day period. Our thanks go out to Peter Walters and former winner, Mark Nevin for mentoring our student."

Jordan said: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am determined to make the team. To have the chance to compete for my country in Abu Dhabi would be amazing and I'm working hard to ensure I make it."

WorldSkills runs from 14-19 October 2017 in a specially created facility in Abu Dhabi. The competition showcases 45 skills and 72 countries compete.

Mark Nevin studied at the college in 2003 and competed at WorldSkills Calgary in 2009 in the Painting and Decorating category. He secured the gold medal in his category and the highest individual score for the UK team.

The UK is currently seventh in the WorldSkills world rankings.