UCOL Carpentry students offer free labour

11 August 2011

UCOL Wairarapa Carpentry students are on the look-out for their next building challenge, and they will work for free.

Carpentry tutor Peter Van der Veen says the real life projects form part of the practical component of UCOL’s one year, Level 4 carpentry programme. “The clients provide the materials and get the building consents, and we supply the labour at no cost.”

Past projects include playground improvements at West Kindergarten and an adventure playground rebuild at Dalefield Primary School.

“We are always looking for these kinds of projects,” says Peter. “The students are not only helping their community but they are getting practical experience while training for the trade.”

The work is carried out under Pete’s watchful supervision and he regards it as an ideal learning experience. “Projects are a fantastic way for students to gain a variety of basic carpentry skills in a single work area,” he says.

“You can draw pictures on a whiteboard in the classroom until you are blue in the face but until you see it in real time, or take part, it is still just a picture. Nothing beats hands on experience.”

The Certificate in Carpentry requires students to complete 300 hours of practical experience. Pete says the time spent working on a community project is credited to each student’s hours.

ENDS

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