Training programme well underway
Written by Tir Coed / Friday 02 December 2022
Tir Coed is delighted to have welcomed six members to its new 20-week traineeship programme in Powys.
We started promoting and advertising the course back in August and were stunned at the positive response we received with so many people from a really wide range of backgrounds getting in touch to ask about places.
Powys mentor Ben was especially delighted when he heard the course being discussed by parents and coaches at his son’s football team.
The most difficult element came when Ben and Powys coordinator Gayle tried to whittle the initial 30 applicants down to 12 for a selection day, but such was the quality of those applying they decided to bring in 14 for an initial get-together instead.
Although the selection was a new experience for everyone – including the Tir Coed team, it proved a massive success, with even the unsuccessful applicants saying they had enjoyed the day and would be keen to work with Tir Coed on any future projects.
With the final six trainees in place, Week One of the project started as do all Tir Coed projects – with a cup of tea and a chat.
After an induction session on their first morning, the team week down to the site to discuss what they hoped to achieve over the following 20 weeks.
Everyone agreed that the project to build an access ramp would need plenty of hard work to complete, but there was no doubt that it would ultimately prove hugely rewarding.
Now three weeks into the project and everything is working well: most of the uprights are in place and work is already underway measuring the footplate supports.
Everybody is still enthused about the project and even the wind and rain has failed to dampen spirits.
Passers-by often stop to ask about the project and we’re delighted to have seen each of our participants at different times explaining the plans with a great deal of pride.
“I am really looking forward to seeing the ramp take shape,” said Ben, “and see the feeling of accomplishment that is already starting to grow among the participants.”
