Girls get hands-on experience of construction on college trip

The nine Year 9 and 10 Ysgol Treffynnon students, who are all studying engineering and product design at the school, attended the Construction and Engineering 'Have a go day' for girls, which was held at Coleg Cambria, Wrexham last week.

The girls learned how to make a ceiling rose using a mould in the painting and decorating workshop.

As well as offering a showcase of some of the amazing career opportunities available to young women within the construction and engineering sector, the girls participated in four 45-minute workshops covering plastering, joinery, bricklaying, and painting and decorating.

The students also took part in a question and answer session with college staff, and heard about women's experiences in the construction industry.

The girls have a go at plastering.

Matthew Hobbs, teacher of design and technology, and engineering at Ysgol Treffynnon, organised for the students to attend the event.

Read more: Return of Year 6 and 7 summer scheme in Holywell

He said: "The trip was a fantastic opportunity for the girls to get practical, hands-on experience in a range of sectors. The college staff were fantastic in answering their questions and really opened their eyes to the benefits of learning a trade and beginning a career in construction."

In joinery, the students used hand tools to practice cutting wood to length accurately and join different pieces of wood together.

Abbie Frost, Year 9, said: "Today has been eye opening and has given me lots to think about, including changing my perspective of my original career path."

Ayanda Parkies, Year 10, added: "We found out that only one in 20 construction workers are women. Today's session showed why we need to change that, and the range of opportunities that are available to get started in the sector."