A Llanfyllin based scheme which aims to find the 'construction workers of the future' has been hailed as a success.

The SWG Construction Academy at Ysgol Llanfyllin was launched in September 2020 thanks to a partnership between Welshpool building firm SWG Construction and the school.

And the success of the scheme means the school is hoping to form similar relationships with other companies to give pupils hands on experience of the workplace.

The course sees students study for a GCSE in Construction and the Built Environment while receiving regular tuition from SWG experts in their first year to gain knowledge and practical skills which could lead to a career in construction.

Robi Wood, director of learning for technology at Ysgol Llanfyllin, said: "We are constantly looking for ways to provide new opportunities for our students.

"The SWG Construction Academy has been a completely different approach to the curriculum, traditionally the teacher leads but in the Academy the teacher facilitates, and the knowledge and industry experience is coming from SWG.

"There is a buzz about the Academy. The link with the company means a lot to the students and parents, the way it is backed by a professional company means it is a career progression opportunity rather than just doing a GCSE.

"It has worked tremendously, the students have responded positively and they have built a rapport with the SWG experts in each lesson."

Some students, who were chosen after a CV and interview process, benefited from working on site with carpenters, electricians, ground workers and health and safety managers.

SWG Group director Jacqui Gough delivered an assembly to talk about how it would work, which the school says doubled the amount of applications to the course.

"We are all so pleased the SWG Construction Academy and the partnership with Ysgol Llanfyllin is going well and are enjoyed seeing the growth in the students after the first year," she said.

"They have impressed us with their positive can-do attitudes and our workforce has also enjoyed turning their hands to teaching and sharing their knowledge with the workforce of the future.

"We are now excited to see what the second year has in store for them and the new faces who’ll be starting their first year this month."