Latest News from Sussex Downs College
Apprenticeship Week 2010 at Sussex Downs College
Hilary Morgan-Jones, Head of Employability picked up a spray gun as a Paint and Body work apprentice with Level 3 apprentices Dan Heasman and Lomax Challen – Hoad. They showed Hilary how to paint special effects on a vehicle panel using water based paints. Hilary tried her hand at a carbon fibre effect and a seamless fade from green to blue using yellow candy – a yellow translucent colour coat.
Hilary said: “The thing that impressed me was the combination of chemistry, physics, precision and creative skill needed. I think it is a great idea to come down and see what happens within the workshop. Both Dan and Lomax showed a great deal of maturity and the skills needed to work within the international market place.
Above: One of our plumbing apprentices shows chairman Dick Holste, right, how to bend a copper pipe
Dick Holste, Chairman of the Corporation, joined five plumbing apprentices complete a practical assessment task which involved bending a 15mm copper tube. He said “ The classes are very hands-on and well taught. The students are learning very quickly, considering they have come straight from school. They all have jobs and are very enthusiastic."
Tuesday also saw Kirsti Godson, Strategic Development and Employability Manager become a bricklayer apprentice. First she went back to the classroom find out what her task of the day was along with the health and safety rules. Together with Level 2 apprentice Steven Kemp, they were tasked to build a Flemish garden wall. The building manager of employers, Booker and Best also paid a visit to the college to view the facilities and to watch Steve and Kirsti at work.
Above: Geoff Martin, Kirsti Godson (third from left), Kevin Diett and the brickwork apprentices.
Friday saw head of Eastbourne Vocational College (part of the Sussex Downs family), Kevin Standish become a carpentry apprentice. Kevin was with Ben Cawkill, James Kennelly and Tom Carey who are Level 2 apprentices in Site Carpentry and work for Westridge Construction Ltd. They were set a joisting task which tested their accuracy. He said: “I spend a lot of my time sitting behind a desk or rushing off to meetings, so it was good to get out and spend some quality time in the workshop.
Find out more:
About apprenticeships at Sussex Downs College in our Employer Training - Apprenticeships section.
