Leeds College of Building is partnering with Bell Group to launch an exciting new Decorating Academy.
Starting in September 2018, this will be the first Bell Group Decorating Academy to open in Leeds and the seventh in the UK. The Academy will see more opportunities open up to 16-19-year-old Painting & Decorating students in the region.
The Bell Decorating Academy will ensure Leeds College of Building students are skilled and work-ready through a range of opportunities, including painting and decorating work placements, site visits, project experience, and apprenticeships. Students will also benefit from free workwear, and masterclass workshops and career talks delivered at College by Bell Group staff.
In June, Jamie Whalley (Bell Group Contracts Supervisor) visited the College to deliver a talk to students about the new Academy, potential work-experience opportunities, and undertake short interviews.
Karen Fletcher, Community Engagement Officer at Bell Group, said:
“Our recent recruitment event held at College was very successful. So far, we have had 15 people apply for an apprenticeship. These individuals will all be offered a one-week work-experience trial followed by an interview for a position, and there were some very promising people who expressed an interest. We are looking forward to opening our Bell Group Decorating Academy in September in partnership with Leeds College of Building. Thanks go to all staff at the College who helped to make this a success.”
Wayne Chappelow, Faculty Director at Leeds College of Building, said:
“We are really excited about this latest agreement with Bell Group and are delighted they have chosen us as their approved partner. They have always been great supporters of the College, but this Academy is a fantastic long-term commitment to young people in the region. Not only will students now gain first-hand experience of industry via work experience and placements, but the content of the professional qualifications they will gain will also be matched exactly to the workplace, making our students industry-ready as soon as they leave College.”
Craig Bell, CEO of Bell Group, said:
“Our academies help prepare young people for the working world, putting the theory of our trade into practice on site. The students will gain a valuable insight into the industry, valuable knowledge, work experience and the chance at an apprenticeship with us in the future.”
Students will now be guaranteed an interview with Bell Group on completion of their course. Employability skills will be a mandatory part of the learners’ overall programme including work-experience placements, project opportunities, site visits, and talks from industry specialists.
The Leeds Bell Group Decorating Academy will officially open in September 2018 with a launch event for invited industry specialists, College staff and students, and senior executives from Bell Group.