Building Department

Trainees will learn the essentials of a number of skills, including brick and block laying, studwork, roof structures, plumbing, concreting, tiling, ground works, drainage and general building repairs.

The various facets of these different trades will be learnt in the course of the daily maintenance, repair and construction work carried out on the estate throughout the year. All the numerous buildings and structures on the estate are subject to a continual programme of repair and maintenance, which is done in-house wherever possible. This can range from renewing guttering, building new draining systems, rebuilding retaining walls, right up to designing and erecting new buildings from scratch.

Trainees are encouraged to think for themselves and to develop initiative.  The work is ideal for anyone seeking to acquire a good all round knowledge and experience of the construction of modern estate buildings as well as general building maintenance and repair.

Trainees with a particular interest in a specialist aspect of building, for example, bricklaying, can enrol at one of the local technical colleges to acquire a deeper knowledge of that skill, leading to recognised vocational qualification. Others may be interested in a future in general light building work, maintenance and repair, perhaps on a self employed basis, in which case the experience gained at the Foundation will be invaluable to them.

The Foundation’s tutor is available to assist with academic issues such as literacy and numeracy where these are needed to understand theoretical points.

No prior knowledge or experience is necessary. Candidates must however display a practical personality and a serious interest in this fascinating trade, coupled with the will to succeed. These are the pre-requisites for success.