Apprentice Advisory Panel visit modular construction site in Aberdare

The Apprentice Advisory Panel met last week (Friday 12 July) for a tour of Linc Cymru’s modular construction site in Aberdare and to discuss the challenges they sometimes face with their NVQs.

The panel, organised by Kellie Hobbs from Y Prentis and Lee Thomas from CITB, is made up of apprentices across the south-east Wales region. They meet quarterly to discusses various topics that are crucial to the successful running of Y Prentis. It was launched in December 2018 and is represented by apprentices in various trades within the industry.

The most recent meeting started with a tour of Linc Cymru’s extra-care development in Aberdare, built in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and F1 Modular Limited. The 40 extra care apartments are being built using modular construction, an innovative building technique where multiple high quality, energy efficient sections or boxes, known as modules, are joined together on site. Each module is manufactured in a factory before being transported to the building site.

Following a buffet lunch, the group gathered to discuss their NVQs and the different challenges that they have faced. We discussed what we could do to overcome these and designed a document that could help future apprentices gain a better understanding of what is expected of them when undertaking their qualification.

Alex Hopkins, a carpentry apprentice currently placed with 2D Contractors, said, “The experience was a wonderful chance to see how the building trade is moving forward with the times. I got to have my say on various topics and the welcome we received from everyone on site was very positive. I have enjoyed the opportunity to change my career at the age of 40. As I am an older apprentice, most companies would not have entertained the idea of taking me on, but Y Prentis were a real life line. Thanks Y Prentis!”

Charlotte Price, a quantity surveying apprentice currently placed with ISG, said, “I think the site visit was a great icebreaker for the apprentices. When discussing feedback, I felt we were more comfortable to do so and it was interesting to hear the other apprentices feedback.”

To find out more about our Apprentice Advisory Panel visit www.yprentis.co.uk/apprentices or email enquiries@yprentis.co.uk