An AWARD-winning construction company have partnered with a regional charity to develop the next generation of workers while undertaking a large-scale redevelopment of Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi.

Wynne Construction’s expansion and refurbishment of the secondary school is tapping into apprentices from the Cyfle Building Skills Shared Apprenticeship Scheme initiative, which connects local aspiring workers to sites in the area.

Through the scheme, apprentices have been working within Wynne’s team to expand Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi through building two new teaching blocks in addition to a school-wide refurbishment.

The new extensions are the first phase in a modernisation project of the building, with Wynne also installing new windows and integrating retractable chairs into the school’s assembly hall.

One apprentice working with Wynne as part of the programme is bricklayer David Deeth, who has been on site since February and is due to finish his final year with Cyfle in June.

“I’ve had experience working on smaller projects before Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi, so it’s fantastic that I get to work in a more technically-challenging environment before finishing my apprenticeship,” he said.

“It’s great having access to a large, supportive team as I’m seeing all the different elements of the build and getting a feel for the whole process.”

David is completing his Level 3 NVQ in bricklaying at Pembrokeshire College and currently attends college one a day a week while spending the remaining four days on site.

“I started on the apprenticeship scheme three years ago when I was 29 after balancing a job in retail alongside my studies, so it’s been valuable to experience a larger project,” he added.

“At the moment I’m working on constructing the elevator shaft for the school, which is challenging work as it requires thorough attention to detail and is a completely new experience compared to the jobs I’ve done before.”

Paul Falzon, lead training coordinator for Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire at Cyfle, said: “The programme has mutual benefits; our apprentices work on prestigious schemes and can keep their skills in the county, and contractors employing locally can take advantage of the talent on offer.”