Construction Skills Challenge

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The Construction Skills Challenge was a fantastic project designed to introduce year nine students to range of crafts/jobs within the Construction industry. 

A total of six schools participated in the initiative which was delivered at Barking College under the guidance of Barking College lecturers. Out of 60 students, each person was allocated one of five craft areas or a technical area. The six areas were:

1. Plumbing – pipe work/bending and mains pressure testing
2. Electrical – circuit board work, making an extension lead and PAT testing it too
3. Carpentry – making a bird box
4. Painting and Decorating – Decorative techniques on boards/card
5. Brick Laying – build challenge
6. Surveying – setting out and scale drawing 

Recognising the worth and enterprise of this scheme, the Breyer Group quickly volunteered to support the project by providing a skilled crafts men to judge the students in one of the above areas. In addition, the Breyer Group also donated £150 towards a prize that would be awarded to the winning student from each category.

The Breyer Group offered to judge the Carpentry section. For this, Derrick Daniel’s, a skilled Carpenter and Site Manager for the Breyer Group was the representative charged with the responsibility of judging the students on their practical ability, following instructions, enthusiasm and attention to detail – not to mention their work areas.
There were 3 sessions throughout the day and Derrick was present throughout, carefully watching and assessing each student

The day was a huge success and was concluded with a Presentation, provided by Kathy Carson (Education Business Partnership Manager).

The winning student from each category was presented with the following certificate and their very own tool box (complete with tools).

The successful candidate from the Carpentry challenge was presented with his certificate by Derrick Daniel’s. He was then spotted having his picture taken by the college photographer with Derrick Daniel and Ted Parker (head of Barking College). An article about this initiative and its success has been produced and was printed in the August edition of the ‘Citizen’ (a monthly magazine that is distributed to all residents in the Borough).