BUDDING electricians and apprentices have been given a boost after a valuable donation of equipment was made to Bradford College.

Students will be able to take advantage of two boxes filled with cables, alarms, switches and sockets, as well as plumbing and gas equipment.

The college received the package from The Electrical Industries Charity (EIC), which supports people in the energy industries.

It was retired veterinary surgeon, Clinton Jeffries, who donated the equipment to the The EIC and asked for it to be used to help apprentices and electricians just starting out in their training and studies.

He said: “We rely on electricians to keep our houses functioning, and vets to keep our pets going.

“So if one group can support the other, then all is well.”

Bradford College offers a wide range of courses in electrical, plumbing and gas, as part of its construction curriculum.

These are all taught in workshops mocked-up to industry standard and in classrooms with state-of-the-art surveying equipment, 3D printers and CAD software.

The donation of equipment from Mr Jeffries, through The EIC, will help the college continue to provide training for these in demand industries.

Adam Brough, Team Leader for Construction and Engineering at Bradford College, said: “We are very happy to accept this very kind donation and will put this to good use with our apprentices and full and part-time students.

“Plumbing and Electrical are two skills shortage areas in Bradford and the demand for new apprentices and students is high, so this generous donation will be put to great use training our future professional Electricians and Heating Engineers. Our workshops have gone through a massive redevelopment over the summer so that we can teach the most up-to-date green technology skills and this equipment will help support us meet the needs of Bradford businesses’

The relationship between Bradford College and The EIC was established through fire and carbon monoxide detection specialists, Aico.

In November last year, The EIC and Aico joined forces to help educate and increase understanding of mental health awareness.

EIC case officer, Melaina Leary, said: “We were glad to already be in touch with Bradford College, having visited in November 2019 to present our Mental Health Awareness Training to electrical apprentices, and hope the equipment will benefit them and the department.

"We look forward to returning soon to deliver further training sessions to the next cohort of apprentices."

Further mental health awareness training sessions are planned as part of the induction sessions for students embarking on electrical and plumbing courses in the next academic year at Bradford College.

Mr Brough said: “I think it’s important that our apprentices are made aware of the stigma attached to mental health."

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