Students Brush Up Skills in the Community

Painting and Decorating students have recently put their skills to excellent use in the community by decorating the offices of the Sure Start Children’s Centre in Palfrey, Walsall.

The Children’s Centre provides integrated education with childcare, family support and health services, in order to achieve good outcomes for children and parents.

The offices within the centre were in desperate need of decorating and the Centre Manager, Mick Davies, approached the College’s Painting and Decorating Team to find out if our students could help.

The students were delighted to offer their assistance within the community, using their skills to brighten up the centre, at the same time as gaining valuable work experience.

Mick Davies, Centre Manager said: “This has been a great project. Everyone’s a winner; students get work experience and we get our centre painted. The students have been very polite, hard working and professional during their time here. They’ve done a good job. It has not only brightened up the centre but it has saved us money, which can now go back to the families we work with”.

Painting and Decorating Lecturer at Walsall College, Richard Parker said: “As staff, we are always trying to develop our students’ skills and employability. We truly see the value of undertaking community projects such as Sure Start. It not only benefits the students but also the local community and the students genuinely enjoy taking part.

“The overall finished work looked very professional and both staff at Sure Start were extremely grateful of the efforts from students and staff alike. The expectation is that the Painting and Decorating department will continue to develop this partnership over the next few years”.