Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Tenants living in Sheltered Housing Schemes in the north of county can now rely on a helping hand to tackle their odd jobs. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Property Services division has extended its popular HandyVan scheme, which was launched as a pilot in the Llanelli area in 2010. It means tenants living in council-run sheltered housing can call for help for small repair jobs around their home, such as hanging pictures and curtain rails, easing windows and doors that are sticking, and assembling flat-pack furniture. The scheme was introduced by the council to offer an extra value service to tenants, whilst also working on the principle that regular preventative maintenance would lessen the call for more expensive repair requests further down the line. It also provides tenants with the peace of mind that they are welcoming an approved workman in to their home. Area Manager Chris Derrick said: “The scheme has proven very successful during its pilot period in the Llanelli area. T...

Tradesmen and tradeswomen of the future have been cutting their teeth as trainees with the Carmarthenshire County Council’s Property Services division. Several trainees have been teamed up with experienced staff as part of the Government’s Future Jobs Fund scheme, which gives long-term unemployed young people the opportunity of a job or training for at least six months. Amongst those that have been working with the council is bricklayer Erica Garthwaite, carpenter Ben Schneider and plasterer Ceri Rees, all from Llanelli. Each of them are now looking towards taking full-time apprenticeships to become qualified in their chosen trade. 20-year-old Erica said: “I thought I’d give it a try to show that women can work in the building trade. “I was given an option about what trade to do, but I chose bricklaying. I’ve worked on schools and homes with my mentor, and I definitely want to carry on with it - I’m looking to start an apprenticeship this year.” Plasterer trainee Ceri, aged 20, added: ...