Preston Vocational Centre

pvc

Building Skills, Building Futures

Preston Vocational Centre (PVC) is our charitable subsidiary and offers vocational training for young people and adults who are not in employment or training.

The team at PVC teach a variety of professional trades, working with local schools and partner organisations, to give young people who, for whatever reason, have struggled with mainstream education, a brighter future. PVC also welcome community groups and individuals for taster days.They use an innovative approach to engage young learners and since their opening in 2009, over 7,000 learners have come through their doors, gaining professional skills, crucial life lessons and in many cases qualifications.

As well as working with young people in term time, the team also offer "Have a go days" in the holidays where local people can try a variety of trades such as plastering, decorating, bricklaying and more recently have won funding to deliver a Twilight project which targets young people at risk of offending or knife crime and takes place in the evenings.

The tutors also work with organisations and community groups who would benefit from vocationally-trained staff or who are looking for an alternative team or skill building exercises.

Read more about PVC, their wonderful achievements and student case studies below:

PVC crowned Educational Establishment of the Year

PVC crowned Educational Establishment of the Year

Our charitable subsidiary, Preston Vocational Centre (PVC), who provide high quality construction training to young people and adults, have been recognised once again for their hard work and commitment in and around Preston.

PVC received the winner’s award for ‘The Educational Establishment of the Year’ at the Be Inspired Business Awards' (BIBAs) ceremony at the Blackpool Tower on Friday night (17th September 2021).

Judges were extremely impressed by the number of students that have benefitted from the Centre since it opened in 2009, with over 6,000 young people coming through the doors. Along with how the organisation responded to the impacts of COVID-19 and adapted teaching methods, invested in the Centre and continued to deliver vital services to students and vulnerable learners, all highlighted PVC as the deserving winners of the award. We are proud of the positive difference PVC make to transforming the lives of young people and adults.


Rob Wakefield, Chief Executive at CGA said:


“Winning the ‘Educational Establishment of the Year’ award is a fantastic achievement by PVC and doing so after such a challenging year and against such strong competition makes it all the more memorable. I felt both lucky and proud to be able to attend the ceremony and celebrate winning the award with such deserving colleagues from both PVC and CGA - Congratulations to the whole team.”

Read the full article and find out more about the great work the team at PVC do by clicking here.

BIBAs Pictures
PVC BIBAS   PVC BIBAS

Learning while having fun works for Morgan

Learning while having fun works for Morgan

Morgan goes to college in Moor Park where she is studying Maths and English.

She felt bored with traditional classroom lessons and felt she needed something she could really get stuck into, something that would excite her. After speaking with her teachers, they suggested she took a look at Preston Vocational Centre who deliver a range of construction training and work with young people and adults from several schools and community groups across the region.

At first Morgan said she was nervous about coming:

Preston Vocation student Morgan building a brick wall “I thought I’d be the only girl there, so my teacher suggested I went for a taster day, and I loved it straight away. I was relieved to see there were other girls at the centre too and I also met a boy who had started on that day too and we’ve become good friends since then.

“You look at the board on the wall when you get here and see what you’re doing that day – it could be bricklaying in the morning and plastering in the afternoon for example. You get half an hour for lunch and it’s a great atmosphere in the centre. They really support you, not just teaching you construction skills, but in generally listening and helping if you’re not having a great day.

“It’s much better for me than sixth-form – you learn while having fun. My friends think it’s cool what I do here. I’ve already learned loads, plumbing, joinery – I’ve installed radiators, fitted a bathroom, made boxes and windowsills. The teachers are great, everyone gets individual help and it’s good to be able to go at your own pace. We have to do online learning as well like health and safety and understanding all the different tools, but you can just work steadily on that and ask questions when you’re not sure. It means I am not panicking with deadlines, so suits me. It will be great to get my City and Guilds qualifications”

Would she recommend it to other girls thinking of coming?

“Definitely! I thought I’d be the only girl, but I’m not. I’ve made real friends here and I actually want to get up in the mornings to go to PVC. You’ll definitely be better than the boys! Give it a go.”

To find out more about Preston Vocational Centre, visit the website at www.prestonvocationalcentre.co.uk email info@prestonvocationalcentre.co.uk or call the friendly team on 01772 880680.

The future looks bright for determined Lola

The future looks bright for determined Lola

Lola, 16, didn’t have the best start in life and lives as a “looked after” young person in residential care. Despite the challenges she faced, she hasn’t let anything deter her from chasing her dreams and after spells in several schools, she has now found her forte gaining experience working with a tree surgery company in between studying for her City and Guilds construction qualifications at Preston Vocational Centre.

We caught up with Lola while she was in the middle of building a wall at the Preston-based centre and asked her about her experiences; in particular, what it’s like to be a young woman in what is traditionally seen as a male-dominated profession.

She laughed off the stereotype, saying:

Preston Vocation student Lola brick laying “I’m better than the boys anyway. Boys mess around. I set myself high standards and enjoy all the trades we learn. You just have to be a bit fiery and give as good as you get. They soon stop! The tutors call me The Enforcer!

“I’m pretty handy at all the trades – electrical work, plumbing, bricklaying, plastering and painting and decorating and really enjoy coming to PVC. As well as the practical learning, I’m also studying Maths and English GSCE with Hawthorn Education.  I’m in my second year at PVC now, so already have health and safety, joinery, and plumbing certificates. The tutors are all really good and supportive."

Lola comes to PVC on Wednesdays and Thursdays, always making sure she has that all important brew before she looks at the board to see what she’s learning that day! When not at PVC, Lola is busy chipping wood and cutting branches with MR Tree Surgery and also works in a shop over the weekends.

What final piece of advice would Lola give other girls thinking of getting into construction?

“At first you might think you’re not as strong as you are, but you’ll learn that. Be yourself, you’ll be just fine.”

To find out more about Preston Vocational Centre, visit the website at www.prestonvocationalcentre.co.uk email info@prestonvocationalcentre.co.uk or call the friendly team on 01772 880680

Apprenticeships leading the way for PVC

Apprenticeships leading the way for PVC

Community Gateway Association’s charitable subsidiary, Preston Vocational Centre (PVC), is celebrating for two very special reasons. Not only did it have its 12th birthday last week, but two more of its students have secured life-changing apprenticeships.


Since the centre opened, they have seen over 6,000 young people and adults receive vocational training support. Two of these were Gabriel Watson and Luke Garity who, after completing their Building Futures construction course have now secured a joinery apprenticeship with local company CCH Joinery.


In a strange twist of fate, Gabriel and Luke are now giving something back to the organisation who helped train them by working for CCH on a project at the Purple Pantry – CGA’s food membership scheme. They are manufacturing and installing a shelter for customers queuing outside; a frequent occurrence at this time especially whilst we adhere to social distancing guidelines in the outlet.


This year National Apprenticeship Week is encouraging employers and young people to consider how apprenticeships can help individuals to build the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career and Gabriel and Luke are a great example of the work PVC are doing in the community.

Luke Garity, apprentice joiner at CHH Joinery said:

luke
“I started out my journey at PVC where I learned several trades in the construction industry and gained vital knowledge. Guided by my tutors, I applied for a joinery apprenticeship at CCH Joinery and landed an interview. After a very long 24 hours I was contacted by CCH and was offered the position of Apprentice Joiner. I was made up and this couldn’t have happened without the fantastic help and belief that PVC had in me. I cannot thank PVC enough and I strongly recommend them to anybody.”

 


Last year, Gabriel Watson received the Outstanding Achievement in Joinery and Carpentry Award at the PVC awards evening. Following on from this success Gabriel said:

Gabe
“I went to PVC once a week to do a number of different trades. I realised I really enjoyed joinery and felt like that’s what I wanted to carry on doing. When I completed my construction course, I started looking for an apprenticeship in joinery and applied for college. I contacted loads of companies that just took my details but then I got a call from PVC telling me that CCH Joinery were looking for someone; I applied and was successful. When I first decided I wanted to get an apprenticeship, lots of people said my first year would be just watching and cleaning up, but that’s not been the case at CCH, I have been involved from the beginning and I am learning every day and enjoying my time here working on the current project at the Purple Pantry.”


Chris Holden Managing Director at CCH Joinery said:


“At CCH Joinery we buy into the philosophy of local community and the importance of supporting commerce, charity and society. In many ways sharing the views of Community Gateway Association which fosters our great working relationship. CGA introduced PVC to us last year when we carried out some fire door installations at the centre. We were that impressed with what PVC were doing, we gave them a donation to purchase new boots and PPE for the students. Since then, we have employed two young men from PVC as Apprentice Joiners. The level of application shown by these young men has been outstanding. Their drive, determination and work ethic has been a revelation. With such an impact these young men have had, we have enquired about the prospect of employing another two young adults from PVC.”


Martin Grayston, Centre Manager at PVC added:


“We’re so grateful to CCH for their support and giving our lads opportunities and experience like this. This is what PVC is all about and it’s so rewarding to see our learners gain skills and confidence – the transformation when they qualify from the young and often unsure people who come through our doors is incredible.”


If you fancy getting yourself on the possible road to an apprenticeship, why not get in touch with PVC:

  • Call: 01772 880680
  • Email: info@prestonvocationalcentre.co.uk

We are also offering three individuals the opportunity to join Gateway PropertyCare to undertake work-based training in electrical, plumbing or plastering, whilst earning a wage.

If you are keen to learn and develop your skills, we’d love to hear from you! Apply here.

For further information please visit the PVC website or email info@prestonvocationalcentre.co.uk