A group of year 9 pupils from Ysgol Bodedern were busy recently participating in a wide range of activities within the construction industry at Coleg Menai.
The ‘Girls into Construction’ scheme involved the girls taking part in a variety of construction workshops in order to raise their awareness of the possible career opportunities for females within the construction industry. The pupils enjoyed a variety of workshops at the college including Wood Occupations, Plastering, Brickwork and Stonemasonry. The pupils also took part in a site visit at Bangor City Football Club’s new stadium at Nantporth.
Amy Pritchard from Gwalchmai commented “This has been a great experience and it has been fun to try different things!”
Laura Blackmore from RAF Valley added “I’ve had a lot of fun in the different workshops and it has given me a better idea of the careers within the construction industry.”
The scheme was arranged by Careers Wales in partnership with Coleg Menai and Construction Skills.
Claire Burgess, Professional Development Co-Ordinator at Careers Wales commented “This scheme is a fantastic opportunity to show the girls the different careers available for them within the construction industry. We're fortunate to be working in partnership with Construction Skills and Coleg Menai to provide a range of activities which allow pupils to interact with female construction ambassadors for various companies and within the colleges.”
Emrys Roberts, Construction Industry Careers Adviser at Construction Skills commented “‘The Girls into Construction’ scheme has been a great opportunity for the girls to experience different aspects of the construction industry. Meeting the current female students at Coleg Menai and seeing their skills has certainly inspired the girls.”
Current Coleg Menai Brickwork student Jessie Williams from Holyhead was on hand to demonstrate some of her bricklaying skills and also to chat to the girls about her course. Jessie explained “I’m enjoying my bricklaying course; I’ve learnt how to build different walls and how to use different tools. I’m also working with a local company and this is a fantastic experience for me. After finishing my course I hope to carry on working in the construction industry full-time.”
Also demonstrating her skills was Rachel Ode from Llanerchymedd, a second year Stonemasonry student at Coleg Menai. Rachel commented “I’m really enjoying the Stonemasonry course at college. I’ve learnt a lot of skills and I’d encourage girls to do the course. In the future I’d love to run my own Stonemasonry business in the area.”
Anneli Hopkins, a second year Carpentry and Joinery student at Coleg Menai was on hand to show her skills and chat to the pupils about the course. Anneli stated “I really enjoy my course at college; it involves a mixture of site and bench work. I particularly enjoy the bench work as it involves staircase work, Mathematics and problem solving. The tutors here are really friendly and helpful. I’m the only female in my year but the boys have been great with me and treat me like one of them!”
Construction Craft Programme Area Manager Medwyn Williams commented “This scheme has been a great success and the girls have really enjoyed participating in all the different workshops. The workshops have given them a good idea of the main construction routes we offer here at Coleg Menai.”
Coleg Menai offers a range of Construction Craft courses including Bricklaying, Carpentry and Joinery, Plastering and Stonemasonry. For further information, please contact the Programme Area by phoning: 01248 38 33 23 or e-mail: construction@menai.ac.uk
A group of year 9 pupils from Ysgol Bodedern were busy recently participating....
