“I feel like this course will help me a lot in the future…. you get your CSCS card and your license to use the machines and that will help me to get a job as I’ll have experience,” said 20-year-old Lara Woods who has signed up for the Groundworks and Construction Operations course, part of the college’s sector-based work academy (SWAPs) programme.
Lara added: “I like to graft and get my hands dirty and when I pass the course I’ll be able to move around and work in different areas, and it’s good pay too.
“The course being free is a good opportunity as I’m not working and earning any money, so it makes it so much easier for me – I’ve learnt how to lay bricks and to do block work and slabbing and have been supported by the tutors to get my CSCS card and prepare for the interview at the end of the course.
“When I’ve finished the course I hope to get a job in groundworks or any other industry that includes this and I’d say to anyone who wants to learn a new skills to try it as you could get a lot out of it.”
