The Diary of a Tiling Trainee

We have been following the progress of trainee Guy McNally in Contract Floors Magazine.

This month gives us an insight into what the training course entails.

Guy is 17 and began his apprenticeship with P Plunkett Tiling Contractors Ltd in Prudhoe, Northumberland in August 2008. He attends Northumberland College.

The tiling course Guy is following is a Construction Skills apprenticeship programme over two years at Level 2. He attended for 18 full weeks in year one; for two weeks at a time. Now he is in year two he attends as a day release student.

Guy told us. “For my first year at college there were block releases. I would be on site for three weeks and then go to college for two weeks. Being in my second year now it is day release. I work all week but go to college on a Wednesday”

The course includes Intermediate Construction Award Level 2, National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2, Abrasive Wheels, Employer Rights and Responsibilities, Key Skills Literacy and Numeracy Level 1, a practical phase test and an online test.

Steve Ainsley, Head of the Department of Construction and Course Team Leader Wall and Floor Tiling at Northumberland College explained. “At present Guy is ahead of his targets, however none of the apprentices enjoy theory sessions and prefer practical sessions for obvious reasons, they just want to tile but without the knowledge they will not achieve their qualification. This is the second year of the programme and all students will complete their framework in June 2010 before progressing, hopefully, to a Level 3 programme in September 2010.

Next month, in Contract Floors, we will find out from Guy’s employers P Plunkett Tiling Contractors Ltd about how having trainees fits in with their commitment to training and their everyday business.

This diary was started in November and you can read the November and December issues online at www.floordata.com

For further information on P Plunkett Tiling Contractors Ltd, Click here

For further information on Northumberland College, Click here