College and Charity Join Forces to Serve Community
A Lancashire further education provider has teamed up with The Brothers of Charity Services to offer key employability skills for the local community and college learners.
The partnership will see Level 2 Construction students at Preston’s College work at the charity’s Lisieux Hall site as part of an extended work experience programme to renovate their resource centre in Whittle-le-Woods, Chorley.
Learners, who are studying a range of trades including painting and decorating, plumbing and plastering, gain their tuition one day per week at college with a further two days in the workplace, undertaking a total of 45 days’ work experience.
The aim of the work is to provide more support space for the charity to help people with learning disabilities integrate into society and to help them find their rightful place within the community.
Already, learners have demonstrated high standards of work and have undertaken a range of trade practices including fitting new windows, re-plastering walls and ceilings, painting and decorating rooms and corridors, and replacing old plumbing systems with new pipe work. Learners have also removed and replaced kitchen units, which were kindly donated to The Brothers of Charity Services by Preston’s College through their work with Howdens Joinery.
Darlene Martin, Regional Head of Day Opportunities & Community Engagement at The Brothers of Charity Services, said: “We are delighted to be working with Preston’s College to help us provide further support to students in the community.
“Both of our organisations have the same vision – to give young people employability skills and we provide a learning environment where skills and confidence will grow.”
The organisations aim to bring together their strengths to provide young people across Lancashire equal opportunities to learn, develop and access employment opportunities.
Phil Parle, Construction Curriculum Leader at Preston’s College, added: “Preston’s College aims to make learners the most employable, tying in with The Brothers of Charity Services’ aim of equipping young people with valuable employability skills.
“Learners really enjoy putting their skills into practice in a real work environment and it’s already had a positive impact on the learners’ development and journey to employment.”
Preston’s College offers construction courses ranging from Level 1 to Level 6, with full access to real working environments, equipping learners with industry skills and experience.
