International students studying Construction show their support for Barnsley FC

Barnsley College International students Ronald Kapisa and Samuel Nawipa are embracing Barnsley life after enjoying a trip to Oakwell and being presented with two official Barnsley FC football shirts.

The football fans from Indonesian province Papua are studying Construction at the College thanks to a grant from the Papua government. They were invited to attend the Barnsley v Nottingham Forest match by Luke Cryne from the club.

Ronald, 18, said: “It was a good game, we had a good time and particularly enjoyed the second half.”

Construction Course Leader Mark Bond added: "Ronald and Samuel began their studies in Level 3 Construction and the Built Environment in November 2013 and have progressed remarkably. They are excellent academics and particularly excel in Mathematics. They will progress to HNC Construction and the Built Environment before going on to complete a BSc in Construction and Project Management at University Campus Barnsley after they finish their studies at College.”

Alistair Wood at the Dulux Apprentice of the Year competition

On the 13th of March Painting and Decorating Apprentice Alistair Wood took part in the first stage of the Dulux Apprentice of the Year competition.

The regional heat took place at Lincoln College and Alistair's tutor, Chris Styan, was very impressed with his work and attitude.

The Dulux competition was Alistair's first chance this year to show off his abilities, but he is already in training for other trade competitions including the Johnstones Young Painter of the Year and Skillbuild. 

Here is a picture of all the competitors that took part in the Lincoln heat:

For more information about the competition please see the Dulux website.

Two bricklayers, Brazil and the World Skills Competition 2015

Two bricklayers who started their competition careers at Barnsley College are down to the final 10 competitors in the UK with the potential to represent Great Britain in the 2015 World Skills competition, which will take place in Brazil.

Will Proud and Jason Whitehead have both won national awards for their bricklaying skills and have spent this week in training, hoping to make the final selection by UK Skills to go to Brazil next year.

The bricklaying tutors are really proud of all the lads have achieved and it is a great accolade for the College to have 2 students in the selection who are regarded as the top 10 young bricklayers in the country.

After this week's intense training session the 10 competitors will be narrowed down to 5, so we wish both Will and Jason the best of luck in reaching the next stage.

Well done lads!

Level 3 Joinery Apprentices get creative!

The apprentices in Joinery have been practising their skills creating pieces that are above and beyond their course requirements.

The CITB apprentices Gavin Thistlewood and Cameron Cass have been working on a roofing model, which incorporates a variety of different roofing structures. The roof has examples of a traditional roofing and includes an hipped end, a valley and a canopy.

Here are a few photographs of them with their intricate roofing structure and of it being moved into place above another model, with the aid of fellow students Alex Palmer and Casey Dyson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The model will now be on display in the workshop for other students to view and will be used as an example to show Level 1 & 2 students about the various different roofing structures that they may come across on site.

 

As part of another project the group have been getting creative making decorative signs. This has allowed them to be a little more playful than their course normally allows.

 

Here is Casey with a Music sign he made for his brother's bedroom.

 

Barnsley College sign created by MA Josh Marlow.

 The tutors are really impressed with the work the Level 3 apprentices have done recently and wish to congratulate them all for their efforts and achievements so far this year. 

Will Proud receives the Peter Vickers Shield

Bricklayer Will Proud has just received the Peter Vickers Shield from the SkillBuild Bricklayer of the Year awards 2013.

The award commemorates a former SkillBuild champion, Peter Vickers and is awarded to the competitor who demonstrates a great attitude and excellent work during the national competition.

Will is really pleased to have received the award and will now be able to display the shield alongside the other trophies he has earned competing in previous competitions.

Will has now progressed to a higher education course at UCB. Congratulations on all your successes Will!

Bricklaying apprentice Harry wins iPad Mini from Jewson

Here is Bricklaying apprentice Harry Ashton accepting an iPad Mini from James (the Branch Manager of building materials company Jewson) after he won a competition at our local branch at Stairfoot.

Harry was surprised and delighted to win the prize and may find further fame in the local newspaper this weekend. Well done Harry!

Open Evening: 16th of January 2014

The Open Evening on the 16th of January was another great cross-college event, where we welcomed potential students and their families to come in and meet the tutors.

 

All the trades and the Professional studies team were in attendance to talk to visitors about the courses they run and the opportunities that are available within the Construction department.

 

Here are a few photos from the event:

 

Wall and Floor Tiling - optical illusion mosaic

Painting & Decorating

Joinery

Professional Studies

Plumbing

Visitor having a go at wallpapering with current level 2 student Craig Brook

Plastering

Wood graining technique with Painting & Decorating

Wallpapering