Minster Awards: Minster AwardsA unique construction initiative that has provided over 700 work experience days for students has resulted in award wins for two local Herefordshire school pupils this week. Dedication, commitment and enthusiasm by Louis Bounds and Natasha Stratford, both Year 11 pupils, who have been attending the Minster College Training Initiative have both scooped prizes at an award ceremony to mark the one year anniversary of the scheme.
The ceremony, which took place at Minster College, saw fifteen year old Natasha, a pupil at the school, awarded with the accolade of placement student of the year, whilst Louis, a student at nearby Hereford Academy, received the award for best punctuality and attendance. Both students received certificates to mark their achievement, which can be added to their National Record of Achievement, as well as high street vouchers to spend as they wish.
The scheme has allowed Louis, Natasha and fellow pupils attending the initiative to see the theory they learn on their construction courses put into practice on a real construction site. The Student Learning Officer at Louis’ school said:
“Louis has benefited from having some ‘time out’ from school whilst on this course, and it has proved invaluable in providing him the experience needed to go into employment.”
Phil South, Assistant Principal at the Minster College said: “Natasha has always had a keen interest in practical subjects and the opportunity to visit the site and meet those involved in the various aspects of construction has opened her mind to many possibilities. Her main aim at this stage is to keep her options open and pursue the range of practical courses.”
Operated by Rugby based building firm Stepnell Ltd, with the support of the West Midlands Centre for Construction Excellence (WMCCE), the scheme is a Local Skills Academy, which is an LSC funded project unique to the West Midlands. Students enrolled on key stage 4 construction courses at UK schools can put the theory they learn into practise by attending real UK construction sites. Stepnell Ltd has demonstrated a clear commitment to developing students, as well as upskilling their supply chain by working with partners, such as Business Link and WMCCE, to offer appropriate training.
Louise Rutter, Skills Coordinator at WMCCE says:
“The Minster College Training Initiative has been a real success over the past year. The scheme brings pupils and employers together, allowing the students to learn what it is like to work in a construction environment whilst giving employers the opportunity to give something back by helping to train those who are likely to be involved in the industry in the future.”
Set up in December 2008, the training initiative has seen over 80 students take part in over 700 work experience days or site visits, where they get their first look at a construction site. The Minster College Training Initiative is one of two currently underway in the region, with another at Solihull College also actively working with construction students in a similar way.
