I had heard about the course when talking to a previous Coleg Sir Gâr student about carpentry. 

With support from my mum and the focus on getting a trade, I read up on the course on the college website and decided carpentry was the right route for me and I’m glad that I made that choice.

Expecting basic skills, the course was so much more than just skirting boards, architraves and doors, it offered a lot more than I expected.

The work-based training is great and the practical side of the college course is teaching me useful skills.

I hope to gain my qualification and experience at Ammanford campus, which will allow me to become self-employed when I qualify and eventually, I would like to own my own business.

The support from my employer DHW Davies Ltd is great, I am being given opportunities to learn and progress. I feel supported by my work team.

I started working with my stepdad to see if I would like painting and decorating and enjoyed it and thought it would be good to do an apprenticeship to help me progress my future career.

I applied for college and was due to start in September but I had Covid so the college supported me to start once I had recovered.

I’d like to learn different painting techniques such as marbling and how to hang wallpaper as I feel this will help me to develop my practical skills and knowledge further.

The facilities are really good at Ammanford campus and my tutor and training adviser have been very supportive helping me with the work I need to complete and how to gather evidence for the NVQ.

My employer is very supportive of my apprenticeship and allows me to attend college two days a week to complete my qualification.

Dalton Brown started his career in construction as a Cyfle Building Skills apprentice before being employed as trainee quantity surveyor with ASW Property Services.

He is currently in his third year of a HND at University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

When he finishes his HND, he aims to complete a degree and become a qualified quantity surveyor.

Dalton is currently working with ASW Property Services, where he has received enormous support and encouragement particularly from quantity surveyor, Cory Ashby.

He hopes to progress within ASW Property Services as he gains more knowledge and experience. “I hope to progress up the ladder with ASW and become a full-time quantity surveyor, with far more experience under my belt,” he said. “I would advise anyone who gets the opportunity to take the technical apprentice route to grasp it, as it’s a massive steppingstone towards what you want to become one day.”

Anthony Thomas, managing director of ASW Property Services, said: “We were delighted to have been involved with Cyfle in piloting the Technical Shared Apprentice Scheme back in 2017.

“The scheme has provided a unique opportunity for the apprentices to gain invaluable experience and knowledge by working across our technical departments with our teams, combining formal studies in college with the real-life experiences of working within the industry.”

I started on the Engagement Programme where I gained experience in a school setting then my training adviser told me about an apprenticeship opportunity at Top Totz and I was successful in getting the position.

My reasons were to gain a level three qualification in childcare and experience working with children of a variety of ages.  I thought the childcare qualification would be challenging and I would be able to improve my maths and English skills.

I am very glad that I chose an apprenticeship as I think it is the best way to become qualified as you get more valuable experience on an apprenticeship. 

It has allowed me to experience all situations and also to earn some money as I am learning.

I would also highly recommend training at Coleg Sir Gâr as I get a lot of support and I can message my training advisers and get a quick response.  There are also a lot of people that I can go to ask for help if I need it.

Debra and the staff at Top Totz have been excellent in their support and help me to improve my skills in childcare.

They will always give me good advice and answer all my questions. 

I am having very good experience and they help to drive me forward in achieving my goals.

Eventually I’d like to study for a higher-level qualification and to manage a nursery.

I found the apprenticeship through looking online and I found an advert on the government website and decided to apply as I thought it would be a good opportunity to explore options in the construction industry. 

I’m currently learning how to work safely on site and understanding how the construction world works along with all aspects of groundworks. 

Just before the first lockdown I moved from London to Wales, it was a big move but with the pandemic I didn’t get a chance to meet people straight away and I had to find a job. I am glad I managed to find a job that I am really enjoying. Everyone is great, I also really like the group in COTS training. 

I hope to move up the ladder in the construction industry, gain confidence and continue to work on myself and my career. 

Ffion Mair Griffiths came to Coleg Sir Gâr as she felt that she needed a career change and was excited at the opportunity to have an apprenticeship in hairdressing.  

Her training adviser arranged interviews with different salons in Ffion’s hometown and she secured a successful interview at Morgan Edward in Llandeilo.  

As she was already in full-time employment this was a big step and having to hand her notice in and leave a secure job was a big risk but her determination and eagerness to undertake this, highlighted her commitment to the programme.

Ffion quickly settled into both college and working in the salon and progressed very quickly. 

A couple of months after starting she was put on a furlough scheme due to the Covid pandemic and delivery was online which was technically challenging at times but Ffion persevered.

Through this time, Ffion had support from the college and weekly meetings with her training adviser meant that she had completed all of the written requirements and tests and was able to discuss assessments and practical skills to keep her motivated.  

These were done in the evening as she had her son home from school and was helping him with home-schooling.  Her knowledge grew and grew in readiness for the practical assessments, a time plan was introduced for appointments so that assessments could take place after restrictions were lifted.

With determination, commitment and sheer hard work, Ffion achieved her goal on time. She continues to go from strength to strength, and is now awaiting to start her level three hairdressing qualification.