“I will definitely be looking at these trades as my future job”: students praise Heritage Skills Event

From roofing to scaffolding, pupils from 5 different schools got the opportunity to learn more about vocations related to construction and conservation skills as part of the Townscape Heritage programme.

Aimed at preserving the buildings that helped to make Cleethorpes one of England’s busiest and best seaside resorts, the project hopes to inspire the next generation of skilled construction workers, thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

With the garden area of King’s Hall, Cleethorpes, filled with marquees, students observed and got hands-on with the construction skills and spoke to exhibitors about their crafts.  Businesses included Cyden Homes, Ashbourne Roofing,  CG Thompson Plastering, who focused on brickwork and plastering, Batty Joinery and Blackrow Engineering, who discussed with interested individuals how to get into the trade.

For both students and businesses, the two-day event proved dividends in more ways than one.

William Batchelor, 12, of Oasis Academy Wintringham, tried his hand at plastering whilst attending the exhibition. He said: “I found it really fun. I want to be an engineer when I’m older so getting to know about different trades that I might come into contact with is great.”

He added: “It’s also a chance to learn about trades I knew nothing about before coming here.”

Teaching Will were Oliver Symons and Keil Thompson of CG Thompson Plastering. “This is the second time we’ve been to this event and we think it’s really helpful for students looking at what job to do when they get older.

“They all get stuck in as well which is what it’s all about for us, letting them have a go and get an understanding of something new. I can’t fault the event at all.”

In another tent, Lloyd Zarzyna, 13, and Tobias Richardson, 13, both from Oasis Academy Wintringham, were learning how to set up a scaffold. Taught by Andy Clark, Area Supervisor Scaffolder at Blackrow Engineering, the pair learnt some basic skills to give them an insight into the trade.

“At first, I wasn’t too keen, but as soon as I started I really enjoyed it. I found it interesting and would definitely consider doing this as a full time job in the future.”

Andy added: “When I was a kid, I wasn’t academically minded so this would have been perfect for me and I imagine it’s the same for some of these students too.

“This gives them the opportunity to learn something new and an appreciation that there are plenty of jobs out there for people like myself who struggled in school. One student enjoyed the scaffolding station that much that they wouldn’t leave, which was great to see.”

Councillor Philip Jackson, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy, Devolution and Skills said: “These events are an amazing opportunity for North East Lincolnshire’s students to learn about trade they may never have even thought about before.

“I would like to thank those involved for making it happen and hope that we can carry on the event in the years to come to help more pupils take the first step in their vocational journey.”