WESTON COLLEGE HOSTS GUILD OF BRICKLAYERS REGIONAL COMPETITION AND OPEN DAY

SIX thousand bricks are ready for 50 bricklayers to compete to be best in the West at a free open day at Weston College on Friday, May 25th.

The Locking Road-based Construction and Engineering Centre of Excellence (CECE) will host the Weston Region Guild of Bricklayers competition in partnership with Bradfords Building Supplies from 9am to 5pm.

It's an opportunity for all regional colleges from Swindon down to Plymouth to send a learner and experienced bricklayer, as well as students aged 14 -16 from local link secondary schools in Weston.

Alongside this the CECE will accommodate an interactive trade show with prizes and offer visitors a chance to try their hand at various trades and tools.

Weston College brickwork lecturer and regional Guild of Bricklayers Chairman Matt Postins said: "This is the first time we have held a competition at the CECE and the competition is about promoting the highest craftsmanship in bricklaying.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for tradespeople to network and visitors to see the brilliant facilities at CECE as well as finding out about special taster days, our courses and test their DIY skills."

Any money raised at the open day will go towards the College's educational visits and charity.

In 2010, the CECE won a 'National Training Award' for the South West of England.

It delivers training in a wide range of construction occupations which includes electrical installation, carpentry, trowel trades, painting and decorating, plastering, property maintenance, as well as a range of renewable energy courses and apprenticeships.  From September 2012 it will also offer plumbing.

There are specialist workshops for training electricians and bespoke brickwork and carpentry workshops, as well as a resource-based Learning Centre and computer suites to deliver online learning.

The CECE is also a test centre for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and health and safety card.

There is a 100 per cent success rate for Level 2 qualifications with around 70 per cent of CECE students finding work in industry while others use the skills they have developed to enhance their DIY capability.

For more information on practical courses at Weston College call 01934 411 481 or go to www.weston.ac.uk