11 Feb 09

The construction arm of Aspire Defence, Aspire Defence Capital Works, has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to year 10 students on the building craft occupations course at Avon Valley College in Durrington, Wiltshire.

Aspire Defence, a joint venture between Carillion and KBR, is delivering Project Allenby/Connaught, the largest estates PFI ever let by the Ministry of Defence. The Project is improving the quality of life for over 18,700 soldiers, 20% of the British Army, thanks to the provision of modern, high quality, fully serviced and purpose built living and working accommodation. 

Aged 15-17, there are currently 58 students working their way through the building craft occupations course at Avon Valley College. Once they have achieved their City & Guilds certificates, they can continue with further studying towards NVQ qualifications or start work on a construction site as an apprentice – after first passing the relevant test to obtain a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.

Consisting of jointly branded hi-vis vests, hard hats, safety goggles, gloves and boots, the students at the college will be working safely by wearing their PPE during the two year course. Rowena Brookes, Principal, said, “We are so grateful to Aspire Defence, not only for this generous donation of kit, but also for their continuing commitment to the young people of this area. Thanks to them, a growing number of young people are being involved at an early age in the world of construction, with an increasing understanding of the responsibilities this brings".

As well as providing this safety equipment, Aspire Defence Capital Works (ADCW) is providing curriculum and class room assistance and has donated learning support materials in the form of Aspire Defence’s Safety First Always and other health and safety DVDs.

The links between Aspire Defence and Avon Valley College were originally forged over two years ago.  Mike Tarling, ADCW’s Design Coordinator for Perham and Bulford Projects, said, “Aspire Defence is committed to improving the skills and education of others and I am delighted to be able to work with Avon Valley College in supporting their students. These young people could be working on our construction sites in the years to come so it is so important that we give them a proper foundation for their careers.”

At the moment classes build their brick walls or tile areas of wall which have to be taken down to make space for the next class. ADCW is currently working with Avon Valley College to help design and build an outside shelter for the students so they can keep their structures in place for longer and will be providing technical support, labour, plant and materials utilising the Aspire Defence supply chain. Tito Peres, course teacher said, “We are very happy and grateful for the donation of PPE kit to the construction department.  The students are taking care of it and are proud to be wearing it.”

Avon Valley College students have also been enthusiastic participants in ADCW’s annual sustainability challenge competition for the past two years and will be taking part again in 2009.

The building craft occupations certificate for years 10 and 11 is a City & Guilds modular course comprising of six level one certificates in health and safety; cutting and laying of fixed components; fixtures and fittings; materials handling and storage; finishing trades; and setting out.

For further information on Aspire Defence please contact:
Sarah Rolfe, Communications Officer, on 0845 168 2035 or mobile 07776 244774
or email, sarah.rolfe@aspiredefence.co.uk  

For further information on Avon Valley College please contact:
Sue Chilcott, Communications Co-ordinator, on 01980 652467
or email, admin@avonvalley.wilts.sch.uk