Smith Group News

Equipment Boost For Blackpool College

04 Feb 2010

Graham Shaw and members of Blackpool & The Fylde College with some of the items donated Blackpool and The Fylde College’s Electrical Installations Section has been given a boost thanks to a donation of electrical equipment from Smith Group UK Ltd.

The company is currently undergoing expansion with the creation of a new Facilities Management Division and the additional office space required has reduced their need for a storage area. This will also allow space to accommodate a 24hr staffed operation, creating additional employment at the Kirkham Head Office.

Amongst the huge selection of equipment given to the college are electrical sockets, light fittings and fixtures, emergency lighting, dado trunking and switches.

Smith Group Technical Director Graham Shaw said: "We’ve had a long association with the College and I’d say around 90% of our staff have come through electrical courses with them. I actually trained here myself in only the second year it was built.

It’s great that we can help the college as they train the next generation of Smith Group UK Ltd employees by donating this surplus equipment. "

David Twemlow, Curriculum Leader for Electrical Installations at Blackpool and The Fylde College added: Our equipment is used day in, day out by students and gets worn out rather quickly. The equipment donated by Smith Group UK Ltd is very welcome and saves us using college resources to buy new kit.

Our Section works closely with the company and provides them with training every year for JTL Advanced Electrical Apprentices and delivers in house training for economic courses such as the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations. It’s a great partnership and we look forward to working with them for years to come.

Notes to editors:

Picture: Staff from Blackpool and The Fylde College (L-R) Emrys Whitehead, David Twemlow, Steve Clough (Head of School of Construction), John Gallagher and Iain Richardson accept equipment from Graham Shaw, Technical Director Smith Group UK Ltd.

Press information:

Blackpool and The Fylde College: Louise Facey, Public Relations Officer on 01253 504332/07956 925931 or email lfac@blackpool.ac.uk
Smith Group UK Ltd: David Jones, Group Sales and Marketing Manager on 01772 471111 or email david.jones@smith-group.com