COUNCIL Leader Emlyn Dole has visited a Llanelli school which was lucky enough to benefit from the Next Steps project.
The annual competition to win a construction apprenticeship sees candidates working on a community-based project.
In 2012, a safari themed sensory garden was created at Ysgol Heol Goffa for children with special needs.
The candidates worked through the summer so that the garden was ready for pupils starting back in the autumn and their skills in carpentry, bricklaying and plastering were put to the test.
Cllr Dole said: “It was wonderful to visit the school and see first-hand the children playing in the garden and how much they benefitted from it.
“The Next Steps project is a fantastic project which is not only giving people the chance to win an apprenticeship in the construction industry but is also putting something back into the community.”
Now in its seventh year, Next Steps is a joint initiative between local building firms Lloyd & Gravell Ltd and TRJ Ltd; and Constructing Carmarthenshire Together – a partnership between Carmarthenshire County Council’s Property Services section, Coleg Sir Gâr, and Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd.
This year there are four apprenticeships up for grabs. It is open to men and women living in Carmarthenshire aged 16 and over, and it doesn’t matter about previous experience.
Candidates will undertake basic health and safety training for working on a building site at Coleg Sir Gâr’s Ammanford campus and then spend five weeks on-site where they will mentored by qualified tradesmen.
The deadline for entries for this year’s competition is Friday, June 10. To download an application form visit www.nextstepscarmarthenshire.co.uk
Watch Cllr Dole’s vlog from Ysgol Heol Goffa:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd4EkfRsFIY&feature=youtu.be
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