Construction Apprentices help out local boxing club

Caption: NWSLC Apprentices and tutors at the boxing club

Apprentices from North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College have been putting their skills to the test to help out a local Boxing Club.

The Heart of England Boxing Club is a volunteer-led charity, sponsored by The Local Rock and open to males and females including children from the age of 5. The community-based club is located in a disused factory on Upper Bond Street in Hinckley.

Apprentices from the College’s Harrowbrook Campus, which specialises in Construction Trades, joined forces on Tuesday 5 March to help give the club a well-deserved facelift.

Using paint donated by Buildbase in Nuneaton, the students were able to give the external entrance and reception area a complete makeover for all of the club members.

Nick Griffin, a volunteer from the Boxing club said: “We are delighted that the team from the College are helping to revamp the gym premises. We are staffed by volunteers and most of our time is taken up coaching the boxers. On a typical evening, up to seventy young people train with us. To have a team of young people helping us to create a boxing gym that is the envy of most boxing clubs is fantastic. We sincerely thank Buildbase Nuneaton for the materials and all those involved from the College who helped to make this happen. We welcome all abilities to train at the club and we look forward to seeing the gym develop further.”

Louise Cheshire, Employer Engagement Advisor at the College added: “Apprenticeships are designed to really prepare young people for the world of work. Projects like these not only enable students to get genuine on-site experience but also allow them to give back to the community and really make a difference. Each and every learner who worked on the project did us proud on the day and we couldn’t have asked for more.”

Construction Lecturer Paul Thornewell said: “The day was a total success and the students enjoyed working in a real life environment. All involved were signed off on the Prepare & Paint Brickwork unit which is part of their programme. It was win-win for all involved.”

The project coincides with National Apprenticeship Week – a government campaign focused on promoting apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.