Valuable insight from ex student
Campus visit a success
A construction trainee passed on some of the tricks of the trade as she gave New College Lanarkshire students a valuable insight into future career opportunities.
Kerry-Ann Tidser represented leading painting, decorating and maintenance contractor Bell Group at the college’s Motherwell campus to speak with more than 40 participants in the construction preapprentice course.
The presentation included an overview of the company’s apprentice programme and the requirements in the application process.
Bell Group is the UK’s largest commercial painting and decorating contractor and one of the biggest employers of apprentices within the construction industry.
The talk was delivered by Kirsty Docherty, community engagement co-ordinator, who was accompanied by former New College Lanarkshire student Kerrie-Ann, 19.
Kerrie-Ann is now employed as an apprentice painter and decorator with Bell Group subsidiary P&D Scotland.
She secured her Modern Apprenticeship after completing a nine-week pilot females into construction course at New College Lanarkshire last year, before progressing on to the one-year construction pre-apprentice course, which she completed in June.
Kirsty Docherty said: “I thoroughly enjoy coming to the college to present to the students.
“This is our second year working collaboratively with the college and it’s great to see so many people considering opportunities with us.
“We will be looking for other trades including joiners, plasterers and plumbing apprentices in the coming months.
“With Kerrie-Ann attending, it was great for the students to speak with someone who has been through the process and loves the college-work balance.”
Construction lecturer John Quinn added: “I am delighted Kirsty took up the invite to come and discuss with our new crop of trainee construction students the role of an employer and their expectations of a good apprentice candidate.
“I am also happy that Kerrie-Ann told her story of how she progressed from our student programmes into becoming an apprentice.”
For more on the college’s construction courses, visit www.nclanarkshire.ac.uk/courses/construction.