Somerset College

Five young apprentices will be first in the South West to embark on a new qualification that will not only give them skills in carpentry and plumbing – but sound training in a variety of other trades at the same time.

Somerset College in Taunton is the first in the region to set up the new qualification and these apprentices, pictured, from Taunton Deane Borough Council’s Direct Labour Organisation (DLO) are the first students to sign up. 

The two year QCF Diploma in Maintenance Operations will equip students with skills right across the board in the different disciplines of Construction, including carpentry, plumbing, brickwork, painting and decorating, and tiling.

“We felt there was a niche in the market as lots of companies are looking for a multi-skilled workforce,” said Paul Vowles, Curriculum Area Manager for Construction at the College.

“This training will make students flexible and versatile to be able to meet employers’ needs.”

For Taunton Deane’s DLO the training is part of a larger transformation of services.

“We are fortunate to have a partner in Somerset College to help with the development of this new approach,” said Chris Hall, DLO Manager.

The new two-year Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Maintenance Operations has been fully accredited by an awarding body and the College will now be telling businesses around the South West all about it.

* The Construction department is also offering a number of diploma courses starting in January, as intensive courses for students who missed the traditional September start.

Caption: Left to right – Chris Hall, DLO Manager, Linda Moniz (a DLO-based Business Administration apprentice at the College) with Maintenance Operations apprentices Jack Bird, Joe Lysaczenko, Taylor Rice, Ben Corbett and Lara White, plus Somerset College’s Paul Vowles, third from right, and Emma Michael, Business Development Officer, right.