Local youngsters get vital experience on Tai Tarian programme

Two young people are on the road to being apprenticeship-ready after getting their sleeves rolled up and completing training in Tai Tarian Green Void properties.

Thanks to a partnership between Tai Tarian, Cyfle and contractors Joyners, which has been organised via the social housing provider's Community Benefits scheme, Neath College students Oliver Jones and Dylan Morgan gained experience, and their own brand-new toolbox.

The training was funded by the Construction Industry Training Board.

Rob Newell is contracts director with Joyners PA Cymru Limited, who work with Tai Tarian on delivering carbon neutral void properties. He said:
“We work closely with Cyfle and Tai Tarian in delivering targeted recruitment and training.

“The recruits get a bit of ‘on the ground’ experience and these current placements have worked very well.

“Moving forward we’re looking at engaging with Cyfle and Tai Tarian to create more training places for future apprentices.”

Student Oliver Jones said he found the experience valuable:
“We’ve mean mainly skimming the walls in this property, it’s been really enjoyable.”

Fellow student Dylan Morgan said he’d learnt various new skills:
“I got to do some meshing in the outside walls, some dashing – I wasn’t the best but they taught me how to do it properly - and some beading.

“After that we came here and we skimmed a lot of walls, including some cupboards, some tight places, but we got it done.”

The property they were working on is part of the Green Voids programme which seeks to make empty properties more sustainable for future residents. Karl Cross from Tai Tarian’s void team explained the kind of work the programme has carried out:
“We’ve carried out decarbonisation works including insulating floors, external walls insulation, improving the loft insulation. We’re also installing ventilation for the property so the property can breathe.”