Bell delivers first masterclass to students

Staff from Bell Group visited Walsall College to deliver its first masterclass to Painting and Decorating students.

Walsall College recently launched Bell Group’s 6th painting and decorating academy in the UK, with the aim to enhance its existing courses, as well as giving construction students the hands-on experience to succeed in the industry.

As part of the academy’s programme, two members of staff delivered the first of its ten masterclasses, which was on working at height safely.

Contract Supervisor Mark Poole and Phil Taylor, Senior Contracts Manager delivered a talk on the importance of keeping safe. To showcase the kind of equipment students will be using in a work environment, they brought in a mobile elevated platform, which is commonly used within the industry to help painters and decorators apply paint on tall buildings.

Level 3 students and apprentices were shown how to operate the equipment, before taking it in turns to be carried on the platform.

Barry Hill, Curriculum Manager for Construction, said: “This is the first of ten masterclasses that Bell Group will be delivering to prepare our students for work within the sector.

Mobile elevated platforms are commonly used within the Painting and Decorating industry, and it is vital that students understand how to use the equipment safely, so they have some of the skills employers say they are looking for.

We are looking forward to the masterclasses Bell will be running in the future, and to help our students carve a bright future in the industry.”

Walsall College offers Painting and Decorating courses to school leavers and adults looking to start a career in the sector.

For more information about enrolling on a course at Walsall College, please call 01922 657000.!