A GROUP of plumbing apprentices from Cornwall College — including Richard Darnley from Launceston — demonstrated their skills and excellence recently after taking part in a one day expert class at the college's Saltash campus site.

The group of learners who took part in the class were tasked with understanding technical drawings and demonstrating their copper pipework abilities onto a board after being selected by their tutors because of their maturity, commitment and outstanding skills in the subject.

Jamie Rowley, Curricu­lum Area Manager for Plumbing, explained: "The aim of the expert class was to differentiate between competence and excellence and to enable those talented learners to excel in their subject by receiving high quality tuition from leading industry experts, employers and tutors. By demonstrating this difference between competence and excellence and encouraging learners to strive for it, we are successfully providing them with the world class skills they need to become outstanding learners and employees of the future."

Expert classes are running throughout England between January and March 2009, and more than 1,200 young people will take part. Through the expert class programme, training providers and employers can share best practice and contribute to a lasting skills legacy.

The four NVQ Level 2 Plumbing Apprentices and the two NVQ Level 3 Plumbing Apprentices who were able to benefit from this one day experience, included Richard, who comes from Launceston.

"All of them were really enthusiastic, completely engaged and thoroughly enjoyed themselves," said Jamie. "I believe it has been a fantastic opportunity for the students to discover and achieve true excellence and develop the world class skills they will need in tomorrow's workplace."

The expert classes are also aimed at introducing potential competitors to the concept of skills competitions and encouraging those talented learners to take part in the UK Skills Competitions at a regional and national level.

For further information about the Construction Skills Centre and the new gas and water short courses available, please contact the college on 01752 850270, email [email protected]">[email protected] or visit http://www.cornwall.ac.uk">www.cornwall.ac.uk.