'Building future' project is a winner
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Leader has praised a project which is literally changing people’s lives.
Cllr Meryl Gravell was invited to visit a group of people who were taking part in a ‘Building Your Own Future in Sir Gar’ session in Felinfoel, Llanelli.
The project offers people living in some of the most deprived communities of the county the chance to take part in a basic construction skills course.
So far, over 120 people have picked up basic skills training in carpentry, plumbing, plastering and tiling through weekly courses held within their own communities.
Almost all the participants have said that the course has given them renewed confidence, and has also encouraged them to think about further education, training or employment.
The project is run as a partnership between Carmarthenshire County Council’s Property Services division, Coleg Sir Gar, Carmarthenshire Construction and Training Association Ltd (CCTAL) and Communities First.
Cllr Gravell visited as members of the Felinfoel Communities First group were constructing a series of picnic table and bench sets, which will be donated to the local community – one of them in memory of a local man.
“I was impressed with the way this course is making such an impact in local communities,” said the Leader.
“Many of the people taking part are women, some of them single parents, and this course is providing them with basic skills that will not only save them money at home, but more importantly, is giving them a massive boost in confidence.
“They are discovering for themselves that they can be good at something, and for many this will be the first step towards a better future. Many of them are now thinking of joining training courses, some of them at college – people who, before joining this course, would not have had the confidence to go on to further education.
“This will give them the means to provide more for their families, and that is what I find so inspiring about courses like this – it is changing people’s lives.”
The courses have been running in Carmarthenshire since October, and are funded by a Swansea Bay Deprived Area Funding (DAF) grant.
Although starting out as a construction taster, the course was adapted to the wishes of the community, and a small number of hair and beauty and catering sessions were also developed in to the course.
The overall aim is to give people in deprived communities a taster of further education to encourage them to enrol on college or community courses, as well as introducing people to the construction industry.
Phil Lumley, Head of Property Services for Carmarthenshire County Council said: “This project has surpassed all expectations, and has had massive positive outcomes. We developed the course to add value to the services we already provide, and to encourage local people to think about careers in the construction trade.”
Cllr Clive Scourfield, executive board member for regeneration and leisure, added: “Our Communities First teams have been impressed with the way people have responded to this course, which has proved one of the most successful they have been involved with. It has opened doors for people, and our Communities First teams will continue engaging with participants when the courses come to an end.”
The project team is currently trying to secure funding to continue the courses through the Spring and Summer.
If you would like to express an interest in joining a course, please call 01554 748630.
Council leader Cllr Meryl Gravell meets with participants and project team members of the Building Your Own Future in Sir Gar project at Felinfoel Education Centre. Pic Jeff Connell
Cllr Meryl Gravell was invited to visit a group of people who were taking part in a ‘Building Your Own Future in Sir Gar’ session in Felinfoel, Llanelli.
The project offers people living in some of the most deprived communities of the county the chance to take part in a basic construction skills course.
So far, over 120 people have picked up basic skills training in carpentry, plumbing, plastering and tiling through weekly courses held within their own communities.
Almost all the participants have said that the course has given them renewed confidence, and has also encouraged them to think about further education, training or employment.
The project is run as a partnership between Carmarthenshire County Council’s Property Services division, Coleg Sir Gar, Carmarthenshire Construction and Training Association Ltd (CCTAL) and Communities First.
Cllr Gravell visited as members of the Felinfoel Communities First group were constructing a series of picnic table and bench sets, which will be donated to the local community – one of them in memory of a local man.
“I was impressed with the way this course is making such an impact in local communities,” said the Leader.
“Many of the people taking part are women, some of them single parents, and this course is providing them with basic skills that will not only save them money at home, but more importantly, is giving them a massive boost in confidence.
“They are discovering for themselves that they can be good at something, and for many this will be the first step towards a better future. Many of them are now thinking of joining training courses, some of them at college – people who, before joining this course, would not have had the confidence to go on to further education.
“This will give them the means to provide more for their families, and that is what I find so inspiring about courses like this – it is changing people’s lives.”
The courses have been running in Carmarthenshire since October, and are funded by a Swansea Bay Deprived Area Funding (DAF) grant.
Although starting out as a construction taster, the course was adapted to the wishes of the community, and a small number of hair and beauty and catering sessions were also developed in to the course.
The overall aim is to give people in deprived communities a taster of further education to encourage them to enrol on college or community courses, as well as introducing people to the construction industry.
Phil Lumley, Head of Property Services for Carmarthenshire County Council said: “This project has surpassed all expectations, and has had massive positive outcomes. We developed the course to add value to the services we already provide, and to encourage local people to think about careers in the construction trade.”
Cllr Clive Scourfield, executive board member for regeneration and leisure, added: “Our Communities First teams have been impressed with the way people have responded to this course, which has proved one of the most successful they have been involved with. It has opened doors for people, and our Communities First teams will continue engaging with participants when the courses come to an end.”
The project team is currently trying to secure funding to continue the courses through the Spring and Summer.
If you would like to express an interest in joining a course, please call 01554 748630.
Council leader Cllr Meryl Gravell meets with participants and project team members of the Building Your Own Future in Sir Gar project at Felinfoel Education Centre. Pic Jeff Connell
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