Leading engineered wood panel manufacturer MEDITE SMARTPLY has partnered with North Kent College to support the next generation of local carpenters and joiners.
MEDITE SMARTPLY will be supporting some sixty students taking Level 1 and Level 2 Carpentry & Joinery courses – the potential apprentices and tradespeople of the future. MEDITE SMARTPLY is keen to help nurture new, local talent and highlight the huge potential of timber in the built environment.
As well as donating products to the college, MEDITE SMARTPLY will be sharing expert knowledge on the many benefits and uses of engineered wood panels, using information from its Continued Professional Development (CPD) courses presented to students at the campus and will follow some of the projects the students will be working on using their products.
North Kent College runs several construction courses, based at the Gravesend campus. The campus includes dedicated facilities for brickwork, painting and decorating, carpentry and multi-trades, and all courses are delivered in workshop environments that replicate the experience of working in the chosen industry. The college has strong links with local employers, businesses and trade outlets, and a great record for getting students on to apprenticeships with reputable companies.
“First and foremost, I would like to express our appreciation to MEDITE SMARTPLY for their generosity to our department at North Kent College,” said Dan Hopkins, lecturer in Carpentry and Joinery. “When I first learned about the proposal outlined by Chris King, managing director at MEDITE SMARTPLY, I was truly thrilled. This partnership presents an outstanding opportunity for our students to engage with high-quality products and gain insights into their practical applications. Furthermore, the prospect of industry-related seminars delivered by MEDITE SMARTPLY’s experts adds another layer of value to this collaboration. Secondly, I would like to thank Geoff Rhodes, president of the Institute of Carpenters, for introducing us.”
Rebecca Goldsmith, product manager at MEDITE SMARTPLY adds: “We are delighted to partner with North Kent College, which is just a stone’s throw away from the MEDITE SMARTPLY Commercial Head Office. It’s a great opportunity to support and encourage a new generation of carpenters and joiners into the industry.
“Our biggest single challenge in the UK construction sector is attracting and retaining new talent. We believe that industry can do more to demonstrate the opportunities for great careers in construction and show these new entrants the potential for using timber in sustainable modern building. We look forward to working with the students and can’t wait to see how our products will be used in their projects.”
The first major project the students worked on was the Remembrance Day project. Students worked together to produce silhouettes of soldiers ready to stand outside the College’s four campuses, in Dartford, Gravesend, Hadlow and Tonbridge, over Remembrance Day weekend. “We are keen to support initiatives that encourage new entrants to the construction trades,” continues Rebecca, “We hope that our ongoing contact with the college will provide a constructive link between business and education.”
As a responsible manufacturer of innovative wood-based panels, MEDITE SMARTPLY is committed to supporting local businesses and tradespeople by manufacturing a versatile, environmentally conscious range of products that meets the user’s design and sustainability goals.
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