STUDENTS CELEBRATE APPRENTICESHIP WEEK

Apprentices at Lewisham College have been chatting to pupils from local schools this week at an event arranged to mark Apprenticeship Week (25th - 29th February).

The Painting and Decorating apprentices, Megan Parry, 20, and Ramone Edwards, 19, told the Year 10 and 11 students about the skills they have learnt at the College and in the workplace.

The Work Relater Learners, aged 14-16 years old, attend Lewisham College one day a week to do construction taster courses to help them learn about the wide-range of careers available to them. The pupils have the opportunity to sample courses including brick work, plastering, carpentry, painting and decorating, plumbing and electrical installation.

Megan and Ramone are both studying an Advanced Construction Award in Painting and Decorating at the College. Megan, who is currently working at female home improvement company Decor8, was named London Apprentice of the Year in 2007 by the Learning and Skills Council.

Ramone Edwards, who joined the College at 14 on the Work Related Learning programme, was a runner up at the Youth Build Awards last year. He has been employed by housing association company London & Quadrant and is now working for the construction firm Seddons.

College tutor Wendy Kyte said: "We have so many outstanding apprentices at the College and this was a great opportunity for them to share their experiences with some future students. An apprenticeship is a fantastic way to learn a trade and earn money at the same time. Megan and Ramone are really good role models and it is great for this group of youngsters to see what you can achieve if you work hard."