Callum Packer, Ecolution Heating
Joe Murphy, P J Price Ltd
Kevin Adams BSW Plumbing & Heating Ltd
Paul Rea, P J Price Ltd
Harry Brown,
Korey Humphreys
Ben Williams, Unrivalled Energy Ltd
Daniel Avent, Aquagas Ltd
Luca Bailey
Jed Ferris
Ryan Burns
Michael Weaver
Sam Hockey, Aquagas Ltd

If you would like to enrol your plumbing and gas apprentice with us, we are now building our waiting list for the next course.

0117 971 1770.

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We have recently become a Bristol City Community Partner. You will see
our name around the pitch on the home games. Eleven Sports Media
have kindly sent us a signed Bristol City football shirt which we will be
putting up for raffle to raise money for our charity partner Suicide

Prevention Bristol.

Tickets are now on sale at £5 each. Use this QR code to buy tickets.

The post May Newsletter appeared first on South West Construction Academy.

The growth of home networks connected to the internet and the level of communication
between people and devices has created a new technological landscape in which almost
every aspect of our homes can become one home technology ecosystem.  From our audio,
video, home cinema, and security systems to our heating, air conditioning, and ventilation
systems, and even our window blinds, doors, and gates, our home environments are
integrating into single, controllable home experiences.

Today’s Smart Home Technician (SHT) is the professional who installs, configures, and
maintains this ecosystem.  Their work objective is to deliver a simple, secure, reliable, and
sustainable user experience according to industry best practice and within project timelines
and scope.  The SHT will work on construction sites and in homes with senior colleagues
such as a Senior SHT, Smart Home Designer, Networking Specialist, or Home Theatre
Designer to create integrated systems using a variety of equipment and services from other
suppliers.  These projects will vary in size and scale from small homes to luxury mansions,
yachts, multi-dwelling developments, and will range from simple component installation to
creating a complex, electronic integrated systems environment.

The SHT will be able to install, configure, calibrate, and troubleshoot a range of electrically
connected Digital Home Technologies or Separated Extra-Low Voltage (SELV) devices. To
do this, the SHT will have a good working knowledge of common hardware, software, IP
networking, audio and visual distribution, and RF systems and user interfaces. Additionally,
they will have appropriate personal skills to deal with home owners and colleagues in
associated construction trades, such as electricians, IT professionals, Security, Access
Control, Fire and Intruder Alarm companies, Lighting designers and Installers, professional
light and sound suppliers, Commercial AV companies

Duration
Typically, 18 – 24 months

Qualifications
Apprentices must achieve level 2 English and maths prior to taking the end-point
assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the
apprenticeships English and maths requirement in Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language
qualification are an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary
language.

Level
Level 3 Apprenticeship

SWCA are working in partnership with Zmart Hohm Ltd, who are based in Gloucester.

After leaving college in 2007, company owner Zach Meek decided to start an apprenticeship
with his father’s electrical company in Gloucestershire. The company quickly redirected
interests towards the renewable industry with solar panels starting to become increasingly
financially incentivised for customers. While working on executive homes across the UK,
Zach got to experience several different smart home automation solutions. He could see that
this industry was heading in the right direction; however, he also saw that a lot of the
systems had old-fashioned products and were limited in terms of features.

That’s why Zach created Zmart Hohm. To offer intelligent home and commercial systems fit
for modern properties. To offer systems that give people smart features that make their day-
to-day lives easier, without them having to compromise on convenience.

We now work on and supply systems across the entirety of the UK – from large-scale
commercial projects like offices and restaurants to typical family homes. We’ve worked on
commercial gyms, modern office spaces, MOT testing centres, cocktail bars… the list goes
on. However, while the environment might change our commitment to providing intelligent
systems that simply work without a complicated level of control will never change.

www.zmarthohm.co.uk

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We are launching our Christmas raffle again; all proceeds will be going
to Suicide Prevention Bristol who we are in partnership with. Tickets
cost £10 and can be purchased from Reception, or via the QR code!
The draw will take place on Friday 15th December.
The prizes up for grabs are…

The post November Newsletter appeared first on South West Construction Academy.

Fresh from achieving a Good rating for its first ever Ofsted inspection, South West Construction
Academy has secured the services of Paul Smithies to lead its new offering.

Government funding around electrical training has recently changed, with course updates and
the introduction of a new domestic apprenticeship which requires providers to offer specific
home-based courses to address new technologies around smart home systems.

SWCA, which was set up husband and wife Shane and Nicola McCallum in 2013, believes it is
the first training provider in the South West to be offering these domestic-focused courses.

The academy, which aims to provide smaller class sizes and flexible one-to-one tuition, now
offers a full suite of trades training, alongside the plumbing and gas courses it has run to date.

Mr Smithies is a former tutor with Wiltshire College who previously spent 16 years on the tools
and running his own business.

He will join a team of six tutors in the academy’s 5,500m 2 of offices, teaching rooms and
workshops in St Philips, central Bristol. The centre provides courses for around 100 students in
bi-annual course cohorts at any one time.

“The flexible set-up of an independent college lets us quickly offer these new courses,” he said.
“Most tutors haven’t kept their fingers on the pulse regarding new technologies over the years.

“I believe that home automation is the future of domestic electrical engineering – smart homes
with systems linked to mobile phones are going to be one of the major ways in which we manage our nation’s energy requirements.

“So we’re going to offer both domestic and commercial apprenticeships as well as a range of
short courses – 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, PV solar installations, car charging and
inspection testing – all of which meet the changing need.”

SWCA employs 10 staff – four administrative and management personnel alongside its team of
tutors – to deliver its range of courses in theory and in practice.

The academy has invested in creating a new workshop specifically for electrical engineering,
with space for a dozen students each occupying their own workstations.

Nicola McCallum said: “We are delighted to have secured Paul’s services, to oversee delivery of
the new courses to the cohorts we have starting in November and just before Easter next year.

“We believe we now have one of the strongest tutoring teams in the region, attracted here by the
autonomy and freedom we have as an organisation, to deliver high quality, competent young
professionals into the industry.

“We’re looking forward to working successfully with our partners to continue to meet the need for new skills in gas, heating and electrical engineering.”

Originally based in Cam, Gloucestershire, SWCA moved to Bristol eight years ago. In 2016 it
won a contract with council-backed On Site to enrol local students on to its apprenticeship
courses. The academy is now also in its third year as a main provider, offering courses direct to
employers for around 40 per cent of its intake.

“It’s certainly been a journey,” said Mr McCallum. “And we’re in a good place now. Throughout
we’ve been guided by principles of keeping standards high, with quality of training and the
creation of safe, competent young professionals being of paramount importance.

“We think we’re offering a better solution than what’s normally available, and we’re playing our
part in helping tackle the growing shortage of high quality young tradespeople.”

The post SOUTH WEST CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY MARKS 10 YEARS WITH KEY APPOINTMENT appeared first on South West Construction Academy.

Committed Staff

The foundation of our success lies in the unwavering dedication and passion exhibited by our exceptional staff. Their relentless pursuit of excellence in teaching, combined with their constant drive for improvement, has created a nurturing environment where students thrive academically and personally. Their commitment to going above and beyond in supporting each learner’s individual needs has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in securing this good grade.

Determined Students

Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and their determination to excel has been instrumental in earning this recognition from Ofsted. Their eagerness to learn, active participation in classroom and workshop activities, and willingness to embrace challenges have set an inspiring example for others. Our learners’ academic achievements and personal growth are a testament to their hard work and perseverance.

Supportive Employers

We acknowledge and express our sincere gratitude to the employers for their unwavering support throughout this journey. They have been instrumental in creating an enriching learning environment within the workplace that fosters success. Their collaborative efforts and involvement in the educational process have reinforced our mission to provide a well-rounded and holistic education.

Key Factors for Success

The journey to achieving a good grade from Ofsted has not been without challenges. However, certain key factors have played a pivotal role in our success:

      1.    Focus on Continuous Improvement: We have embraced a culture of continuous improvement, where feedback and evaluations have been invaluable in shaping our strategies and refining our educational approach.

      2.    Inclusive Education: An inclusive learning environment has been central to our ethos, ensuring that all students feel valued, supported, and included in the learning process.

      3.    Innovative Teaching Methods: Our educators have been proactive in adopting innovative teaching methods and technology to enhance learning outcomes and engagement.

      4.    Student Well-being: We prioritise the well-being of our students, recognizing that a healthy mind is essential for effective learning and personal development.

Future Aspirations

We acknowledge and express our sincere gratitude to the employers for their unwavering support throughout this journey. They have been instrumental in creating an enriching learning environment within the workplace that fosters success. Their collaborative efforts and involvement in the educational process have reinforced our mission to provide a well-rounded and holistic education.

Conclusion

Achieving a good grade from Ofsted is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the determination of our students, and the unwavering support of the employers. This recognition reinforces our commitment to providing an exceptional education that nurtures young minds and prepares them for a bright and successful future. As we celebrate this milestone, we eagerly look forward to the journey ahead, fuelled by our shared passion for excellence in education.

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Tickets cost £10 and can be purchased by clicking the link below.

https://buy.stripe.com/dR67vPbI3gcu33G000 or clicking on the QR code (see attached)

Good luck and thank you for your support!

*Special thanks to Kane and North Bristol Plumbing Supplies for your generous donations*

https://buy.stripe.com/dR67vPbI3gcu33G000

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