Students Apply Lessons at Bear & Ragged Staff

Construction learners create a recipe for success at the Bear

Cookery and construction aren't two trades you typically see together, but for Cheshire College – South & West and The Bear and Ragged Staff they make the perfect pairing. Before the most recent lockdown, construction learners at Cheshire's largest College had been putting into practice new skills they've learnt in the classroom to support the renovation works required at the pub.

Transforming an empty building into a fully functional pub restaurant with rooms is no mean feat and learners at Cheshire College have been given a true insight to life on a construction site with the launch of live classroom learning.

College partner Brian Mellor approached the College's Construction & The Built Environment Department to give learners a work experience opportunity like no other.

Live classroom learning launched at the pub in Autumn 2020 to support construction learners in their surveying and sustainability modules and since this time they have gone on to design pizza ovens, vegetable planters, green walls, external shelters, car parks and other groundworks.

'I'm determined to seek out as many learning opportunities as I can for our young people be it hospitality, construction, business, digital or otherwise. This has been a tough time for all of us and we are in constant contact with the college to see how we can work together.' Silke Novak, Construction Tutor at the College, said: "We are delighted to be working with the team at the Bear on this new renovation project. This is a fantastic opportunity for our learners who have been able to go visit the site, soak up the information in real-time and get a true feel for working life in the construction industry.
"Due to the COVID-19 restrictions in place, learners were only able to carry out surveying outside and are now planning specific aspects of the build which we hope we'll be able to deliver over the next couple of months."
Level 3 Construction learner, Aaran Edwards who is working on the project, commented: "Being able to see the building as it's renovated is really good as it helps me recognise all the little things that go on in a new structure that many people wouldn't notice. Having an involvement in designing items for the new building is also helping me expand my knowledge and get a further understanding on the many things that take place on the site."

All learners involved in the project will be presenting their final designs and cost proposals to the Bear and Ragged Staff in spring and once approved will work in partnership with local construction companies to bring concepts to life.

Tattenhall resident Martin Hilton and director said "Both Brian and I have a teaching and training background and we've always tried to support learners where possible in any new projects or provide work experience opportunities. We were excited to get them involved and starting as we mean to go on, seeking out learning opportunities for students to help them achieve and grow in confidence.''

Richard Payne Gill added "All the learners who visited the site were so enthusiastic about the project which was fantastic to see. We are looking forward to reading their proposals and seeing their visions come to life over the course of the spring and summer terms."