June 19, 2019 - 1393 views
Pupils from five local schools and an education centre got the opportunity to not only build, but race the boats that they had spent nearly a year constructing, thanks to a pioneering initiative by a local college.
The learners from Ysgol Bryn Elian, Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy, Ysgol Creuddyn, Ysgol John Bright, Ysgol Aberconwy and Penrhos Avenue Education Centre, attended Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhos-on-Sea campus weekly, on a day-release basis over a one-year period.
They learned all the techniques required to build a boat from scratch: cutting wood, working with glass fibre, painting and rigging, before racing it against each other on Marine Lake in Rhyl recently. Special guests on the day included the Mayor of Rhyl and Deputy Mayor of Colwyn Bay.
The day’s activities were organised in conjunction with the Rhyl Harbour Authority (run by Denbighshire County council), and parents and friends of the pupils turned out in force to cheer them on.
Coleg Llandrillo offered a NVQ Level 1 in Marine Engineering (Boatbuilding) course to school pupils for the first time during the 2017/18 academic year as part of the college’s schools link initiative.
Fraser Longbone, tutor within the Marine Technology department at the college, stated on the day:
“The young pupils should be very proud of themselves: to build a boat from scratch, and then sail it, is no mean feat. The learners seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the boat they built was an absolute delight to sail. It is great to be a part of the increased education and welfare of our young people through the schools link scheme.
“Today’s event is the culmination of a year’s work for them. The weather wasn’t perfect, but at the end of the event they all expressed how much they had enjoyed it.
“The course is a great opportunity for the pupils to work in an alternative environment to their regular school setting. It has been extremely fulfilling to see these youngsters gain useful life skills and to watch them grow in confidence in a team environment, in the knowledge that we have helped equip them for a potentially very bright future.
"We have had a lot of interest from other schools too for the next academic year, so the course will be running again.
“Several of the these learners have already submitted applications for the Level 2/3 course, which has been very successful in the recent past, with students securing careers in chandlery, boatbuilding, sailing instruction, engineering, super yachts and the Merchant Navy.”
Clare Mitchell, Coleg Llandrillo’s 14-19 co-ordinator, added: “The learners were engaged throughout the year on the college course and they will no doubt take all their new skills and knowledge with them on their onward journey through education and employment. It was wonderful to see the community come together to support these young people.”
For any queries concerning the course or marine careers in general, please contact Andy White at a.white@gllm.ac.ukor visit the college website.
