It was a trip down memory lane for John Boys on Thursday 13 June as he attended the Construction Presentation evening at Burnley College. The awards evening celebrated the achievements of students at the college, and John Boys was a student at the college himself when he was sixteen. He firmly believes that the two years he spent there gave him a good grounding in student life and put him firmly on the path to progress in the construction industry.
John Boys gave a presentation to the students and parents where he talked about his early experience in the industry and B&E Boys. It was also an opportunity to promote the construction industry in the North West.
There were over 150 students, parents and employers at the event. As well as speaking, John also presented awards and certificates to Painting & Decorating, Electrical, Joinery, Plumbing and Brickwork full time and part time students.
John was made to feel very welcome by Karen Buchanan, the Principal of Burnley College, and Dave Lord, Construction Head. There was a real sense of positivity at the event and it was also really encouraging to see a good number of students seeking a profession within the industry.
John Boys being an ex-student is not the only B&E Boys connection with Burnley College. The company completed a £4million BREEAM Excellent Scheme at the college. The project comprised of the construction of two steel-framed blocks for the completion of a new Construction Skills Centre. In addition, a new Technology Block with paved areas to the exterior were also created.
As is often the case with projects of this type, carrying out the work on a busy campus with teaching and exam timetables going on as normal, presented its own set of challenges. Ensuring the safety of students, staff and members of the general public was of paramount importance. Careful planning and project and site management was needed. The project lasted for 28 weeks was completely successfully and on time. Partners on the project were SDA Consulting.
Burnley College really is a hub for the local community and beyond. The college offers a vast range of courses and options for various ages and at various levels of study.
The Sixth Form Centre offers both traditional A Levels and vocational courses. There are also many Apprenticeship options available too, for young people who want to gain practical skills and experience of the world of work, alongside a nationally recognised qualification.
At Burnley College, promoting lifelong learning is at the heart of everything it does. There are a wide range of University courses available, from foundation level to postgraduate. What’s more, there is a full Adult Learning programme at Burnley College as well. Courses include awards in the Construction Trades, Creative Arts and Media, Languages, and Maths & English.
John Boys was very pleased to be invited to attend, speak and present at the Presentation Evening. We would like to congratulate all students who received an award. It’s also heartening to see the fabulous work that all the staff at Burnley College paying off so handsomely.