PROTECTING the past is helping shape
the future for Swansea workers.
Young men from across the city are
gaining employment, training and skills at the highest levels while helping
revive Swansea’s landmark Guildhall. It’s all part of the major programme to
refurbish the Grade 1 listed building in a way which protects its past while
making it functional for future use.
By being part of Swansea Council’s
innovative Beyond Bricks and Mortar programme the project has aimed from the
start to benefit local firms and secure and create local jobs. It is giving young people at the start
of their careers the chance of a life time to learn their craft while restoring
fine plasterwork, fittings and woodwork as well as meeting the challenges of
conservation while installing modern electrics, heating, lighting and ICT
provision.
And it’s meant that apprentice
carpenter Tom Morgan, aged 18, from Hafod, was able to secure an apprenticeship
with Guildhall contractors and local company John Weaver Contractors. He said: “This project is giving me
great experience. There is so much variety in the carpentry here I am gaining
skills I could not get elsewhere. When you are starting out it is also
important to have work close to home because you cannot afford to travel and stay
away.”
Repairing or replacing wood crafted by the original
carpenters has also helped former
apprentice Gareth Morgans, aged 23, gain a prestigious Heritage Gold Skillcard
which will open doors for the rest of his career.
The 23-year-old from Winch Wen, who
was inspired to take up carpentry after woodwork classes at Birchgrove
Comprehensive, said: “This is a really special building and project to work on.
“Although I have worked on a variety
of sites I am learning so much here. We are making it right for the future but
keeping as much of the original as we can and making the new match the old.”
Council's Cabinet
member,said “I am delighted to see the great care
being taken by those working on this building as they make their own mark on
its future while preserving the past. They are laying the foundations for
successful careers while giving the Guildhall a future as offices from which
Council staff deliver services to the public and space for public events,
conferences and performances."
Ian Hawkins, Managing Director of
Hafod-based John Weaver construction, , said:
“This prestigious project has enabled John Weaver, as a local company to
secure existing jobs and offer specialist training for both apprentices and
those engaged in workplace experience schemes, it has also provided an
opportunity to enhance the skills of
those who have completed apprenticeships. Through the range of challenges this
project has presented we have gained further expertise which will put us in a
unique position as a premier conservation contractor when bidding for future
work.
They are working closely with
contractors and CADW to ensure that the original features are preserved, restored
or replaced with great care while enabling the building to meet the
requirements of modern use.
future.”
