Andover College Bricklaying students re-build wall for 94 year old Andover lady

Andover College bricklaying students have come to the rescue of a 94 year old Andover resident whose garden wall had become unsafe. The eight students, utilising skills learned on their course, removed Ninette Gillam‘s crumbling wall and loaded it into the skip donated by Browns Skips, a local waste supplier. They are now currently in the process of building a new one to match in with the original and other neighbour’s walls.

Mrs Gillam enjoys watching the team’s efforts from her window. Commenting on the students work to make her garden safe she said: “I look forward to the team coming every Friday, as this, along with my singing lessons are the highlight of my week”.

Lecturer Rob Blackmore who is leading the students on the project said: “Working on Mrs Gillam’s garden wall has been a very worthwhile and useful experience for the students. In the workshops they have been taught all the skills to do this job but being on a site adds a new dimension and set of circumstances for the students to manage. Getting out into the community and actually leaving a legacy of their work really motivates the students. It’s been so worthwhile that we would like to do a couple of small community projects next year.”

On completion of their course the students can progress to either an Apprenticeship or the Level 2 Bricklaying Diploma, a more advanced programme which further develops their trade skills to a recognised industry standard.

In September the Construction department will be based in the College’s brand new £2.7m Technology and Future Skills Centre. The modern two storey building will provide industry standard teaching and workshop space for the Motor Vehicle and Construction Departments and will also see the introduction of Electrical training to Andover.

For further information on the full range of Construction courses available please click on this link