Preston Vocational Centre (PVC)
Preston Vocational Centre (PVC)are an exceptional charity that provides the highest quality construction-based training in Lancashire.
They support young people to gain skills, qualifications and confidence to achieve their full potential and build a positive future.
Since 2009 PVC have worked with over 6,000 learners, many of whom had disengaged from mainstream education. In the last academic year, 173 students from 23 schools across Greater Manchester have been supported by PVC. 81% of students achieved a covered City & Guilds construction qualification and 94% of students progressed into work or further study.
Seddon have supported PVC and their young learners in various ways over the last 6 months, including training, traineeships, providing expert advice, helping to building relationships with Seddon’s supply partners and charitable donations.
Education & Training
PVC Miller Road Site Visits:
Two groups of student young learners from PVC were invited for a guided tour of Seddon’s Miller Road development in Preston. Construction site visits are fantastic, interactive experiences that can enhance students’ understanding of real construction practices. The students were exposed to the different trades and skills that are required on a construction site, as well as the technical language used on site. The experience also gave them the opportunity to explore different career options in construction.
To further optimise their understanding, students have had the opportunity to visit the site to see the development at different stages of its progression.
PVC H&S Joinery Tour
A group of young learners from PVC were also invited to visit H&S Joinery, a specialist joinery manufacturer. The students were able to observe the factory in action, including the usage of modern woodworking machinery. They also were provided with the opportunity to ask questions to H&S Joinery’s highly-skilled and experienced workforce, many of whom started their career journey as apprentices.
PVC & Salford Summer Activity Programme
Seddon commissioned PVC to deliver ‘Introduction into Construction Taster Sessions’ for a group of young people from the Little Hulton area of Salford. The course was delivered over two days and provided the young people with skills and experience in brickwork, plastering plumbing and joinery.
PVC & Traineeships
Lola, a 16 year old young learner from PVC, didn’t have the best start in life. She currently lives as a ‘looked after’ young person in residential care. Lola initially began her studies at PVC in 2021 on a 12 month pre-employability construction course. Fast forward two years and Lola is now multi-skilled in mulitple trades, including bricklaying, plumbing, painting and decorating, electrical work and plastering.
Lola also has a number of qualifications under her belt, including certificates in health and safety, joinery and plumbing. Inspired by her story, Seddon nominated Lola for the prestigious Young Builder of the Year Award 2022 with Youth Build UK, and supported her to attend the awards ceremony in London where she was awarded runner up in the 14 to 18 year category. In November 2022, Seddon facilitated Lola’s relationship with the training provider Construction Skills and she Is now completing a 12 month multi-skilled traineeship. With support from PVC and Seddon, Lola hasn’t let anything deter her from chasing her dream to work in construction, a profession traditionally seen as a male dominated occupation. Seddon will continue to support PVC in building their young learners self-confidence and professional skills through training and employment in construction.
PVC & CITB Club
CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) is a part of the Department of Education and is the official training board for the UK construction industry.
CITB Club is a support group, established by Seddon, to provide supply chain partners with ongoing up-to-date support about all things training, development and skills related.
In collaboration with Preston Vocational Centre (PVC), Seddon have been working with our local supply chain, through the CITB Club, to help educate them on the benefits of apprenticeship schemes by:
• Providing help with the recruitment of apprentices
• Assisting with up-skilling their teams
• Connecting our supply chain to CITB and the resources available
Connecting PVC to our supply chain partners has resulted in a number of positive outcomes. For example, Profac, one of Seddon’s key suppliers, has become a patron of the charity. They recently donated £2000 and other supply partners have agreed to provide work experience placements and educational talks to share their skills and expertise with the young learners. Building these relationships plays a vital role in supporting our supply chain to find their next trainees/apprentices and creating additional employment opportunities for PVCs young learners.
Charitable donations
During 2022, Seddon have also provided PVC with a number of donations, including:
• Various donations of materials, including doors, paint, and bricks
• Donation of PPE for the start of the new term
• A monetary donation of £5000
• CPD training to PVC tutors RE Passive House
• Use of an Crew Cab 7-seater Seddon van for 24 weeks (from June—October 2022)
"We are absolutely delighted with the support that we have received from Seddon. They have supported our staff and our students in numerous ways including mental health support, provision of a vehicle, CPD training, materials, and site visits for our learners. This has made a massive difference in providing our young people with additional support and skills to enable them to reach their full potential"
Martin Grayston
Centre Manager
Preston Vocational Centre
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
