Skilled Students Hard at Work on £5.2m Clock Tower Redevelopment

Responsible Business News , 5th February 2023

Level 2 Painting and Decorating and Construction learners from Coleg Cambria were tasked with supporting the Guardians of the John Summers Clock Tower in Deeside.

Among them was Jack Hughes, 17, from Connah’s Quay, one of a diligent and dedicated cohort led by lecturer Keith Massey and Enbarr Foundation director, Vicki Roskams.

Their focus has been on the basement of the Grade II-listed structure, former headquarters of Tata Steel in North Wales.

An ex-pupil of Mold Alun High School, Jack was pleased to have such an opportunity.

“It’s a fantastic experience to be on-site and hands-on in helping to bring the clock tower back to life. It means a lot to the community, so we are glad to be of assistance.”

Fellow student David Feraru added:

“We have been here for a few weeks, stripping walls, painting and doing other preparation. It has given us a taste of what it would be like to pursue this as a career so it’s great experience.”

Lecturer Keith Massey believes working side by side with professional trades and contractors will be invaluable to the group in the future.

“We have been here over the winter and will return before the summer as the scheme progresses. It’s so important for the students to get out of the classroom and get a flavour for what they will be doing when they leave the college, in a realistic environment with the pressure and challenges of the industry.

“They’ve done really well and are learning new skills all the time, it’s a blank canvas for them and fellow learners in disciplines such as plastering and brickworks, who will also be a part of this project going forward.”

Enbarr Foundation director, Vicki Roskams thanked them for their contribution to the epic revamp, adding:

“The work they are doing here is making a real difference; it’s a legacy for them as everything they do will be here for years to come.

“The students are doing a hard day’s work in often harsh conditions – especially given the cold weather over past weeks – but they’ve been here every day putting in a proper shift.

“We are grateful to them and glad it will also have a positive impact on their education.”

Cafodd dysgwyr lefel 2 Paentio ac Addurno ac Adeiladu o Goleg Cambria y dasg o gynorthwyo Gwarcheidwaid Tŵr Cloc John Summers yng Nglannau Dyfrdwy.

Yn eu mysg roedd Jack Hughes, 17, o Gei Connah, un o garfan ddiwyd ac ymroddedig dan arweiniad y darlithydd Keith Massey a Chyfarwyddwr Sefydliad Enbarr, Vicki Roskams.

Roeddent yn canolbwyntio ar seler y strwythur rhestredig gradd II, cyn-bencadlys Tata Steel yng Ngogledd Cymru.

Yn gyn-fyfyriwr Ysgol Alun yr Wyddgrug, roedd Jack yn falch o gael cyfle o’r fath.

“Mae’n brofiad gwych bod ar y safle a chael profiad ymarferol wrth helpu i roi bywyd newydd i dŵr y cloc,” meddai.

“Mae’n werthfawr i’r gymuned, felly rydyn ni’n falch o gael helpu.”

Ychwanegodd ei gyd-fyfyriwr, David Feraru:

“Rydyn ni wedi bod yma ers ychydig wythnos, yn stripio waliau, paentio a rhagor o waith paratoi.

“Mae wedi rhoi blas i ni ar sut beth fyddai gwneud hyn fel gyrfa felly mae’n brofiad gwych.”

Mae Keith yn credu y bydd gweithio ochr yn ochr â chontractwyr a chrefftwyr proffesiynol yn amhrisiadwy i'r grŵp yn y dyfodol.

“Rydyn ni wedi bod yma yn ystod y gaeaf, a byddwn ni’n ôl cyn yr haf wrth i’r cynllun symud yn ei flaen,” meddai.

“Mae mor bwysig i’r myfyrwyr adael yr ystafell ddosbarth a chael blas ar yr hyn y byddan nhw’n ei wneud pan fyddan nhw’n gadael y coleg, mewn amgylchedd realistig gyda phwysau a heriau’r diwydiant.

“Maen nhw wedi gwneud yn dda iawn ac maen nhw’n dysgu sgiliau newydd o hyd. Roedd yn gyfle iddyn nhw a’u cyd-ddysgwyr gael profiad o ddisgyblaethau fel gwaith plastro a gwaith brics, a fydd yn rhan o’r prosiect yma wrth iddo fynd rhagddo.”

Diolchodd Vicki iddyn nhw am eu cyfraniad i’r gwaith ailddatblygu, gan ychwanegu:

“Mae’r gwaith maen nhw’n ei wneud yma yn gwneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol; mae’n etifeddiaeth iddyn nhw gan y bydd popeth maen nhw’n ei wneud yma am flynyddoedd i ddod.

“Mae’r myfyrwyr yn gwneud diwrnod caled o waith mewn amodau anodd yn aml – yn enwedig o ystyried y tywydd oer dros yr wythnosau diwethaf – ond maen nhw wedi bod yma bob dydd yn gwneud shifft iawn.

“Rydyn ni’n ddiolchgar iddyn nhw ac yn falch o gael effaith gadarnhaol ar eu haddysg.”