A TOTAL of 18 apprentices have provided approximately 12 months each of support and hard work over the last two years to help build Wales’ first purpose-built 3-to-19 school, Ysgol Bro Teifi, in Ceredigion.

Work started on building the school in October 2014 and the school is set to open on 5 September 2016 to pupils and teachers as planned.

The project has offered training and employment opportunities for apprentices in trades such as bricklaying, mechanical engineering, carpentry, and painting amongst others, as well as opportunities and experience for young people Not in Education or Employment or Training (NEET).

These apprenticeship opportunities have been made available due to community benefits clauses being included by the county council as part of the contractual commitments of this project. This is in line with the Welsh Government’s policy statement that has been issued to all public sector organisations in Wales.

Other community benefits include the creation of employment opportunities within the local community, by establishing an on-site café provided by a local business, engagement with school pupils who have contributed their ideas towards the completed design, and several local community projects have been supported financially or by helping with structural changes.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online on Wednesday