Maesteg Construction Centre of Excellence, The CUBE, has welcomed its first cohort of students.
The newly refurbished facility, part of NPTC Group of Colleges, opened its doors to its first-ever students and is paving the way for Construction in Wales with a new suite of qualifications.
The new qualifications are designed to better meet the skills need of the industry, ensuring students from Maesteg and its surrounding communities are better prepared for a career in the construction sector.
There to greet the new recruits was Principal and CEO of NPTC Group of Colleges Mark Dacey; Councillor Ross Penhale-Thomas; Vice Principal: External Relations and Group Company Secretary Gemma Channock and Centre Manager Jamie Piper, who all tried their hand at bricklaying.
Councillor Penhale-Thomas, who will be officially opening the centre in a ceremony held in April, was impressed by the facilities and said:
“I am delighted to see the new lease of life being offered to Maesteg Construction Centre of Excellence, where local young people will benefit from learning much sought-after skills across a range of trades.
“NPTC Group of Colleges has a great track record of supporting and creating opportunities for young people outside of a traditional school setting, harnessing their skills and talent and preparing them for jobs and careers.
“This isn’t just an investment in financial terms, it is an investment in the future of local young people and a huge vote of confidence in the Llynfi Valley.
“I’m looking forward to hearing of its successes moving forward – which will undoubtedly include the next generation of tradespeople in South Wales”.
All students have started the Level 1 Diploma in Multi-Skills Trades and applications are now open for those leaving school this Summer, for the full-time Foundation in Construction and the Built Environment course.
Students can choose two trades experiences from, Carpentry, Bricklaying, Plastering and Groundworks (Construction Civils). Once completed, these qualifications will provide progression routes onto further studies, employment within the construction sector, or an apprenticeship.
Construction Civils (Groundworks) is a brand-new part of the qualification for 2022 and refers to work done to prepare sub-surfaces for the start of any construction work or project. Groundworks are usually the first stage of a construction project and may include ground investigation, site clearance, site services, landscaping, substructure, and ground stabilisation works.
Maesteg Construction Centre of Excellence offers bespoke, state-of-the-art facilities such as a large, fully equipped workshop, classrooms, computer rooms and a student mess.
We will be offering full and part-time courses suited to all ages.
