News: ​‘Swap Shop’ scheme helps shortfall in plastering supplies

The College is set to close for the summer, and therefore Rob’s scheme means that businesses in short supply of plaster can order materials, which would otherwise go unused over the next few weeks, with the idea that they replace it with ​‘like for like’ stock later in the year. Rob explains:

“Our students won’t be using the plaster over the summer period so it seemed like a good idea to offer it out to small businesses to help keep them ticking over. In return, the College will receive fresh products when our students return, and when manufacturing companies have had chance to catch up.”

The scheme will run until the end of July, so any businesses in need of plaster supplies can contact Rob via Twitter @ConstructionFE.

As one of the largest construction training providers in the Midlands, the College has a number of industry contacts, including a long-standing partnership with British Gypsum, which donates tonnes of plastering materials to the College each year.

Dave Hall, Training Partnerships Director at British Gypsum, said: ​“Nottingham College’s plastering department is to be commended for the swap shop scheme initiative in engaging with local contractors. This great idea is welcomed by contractors who have totally bought into what the College’s plastering department is doing. This is great for the local community and contractor base in the area.”

Rob qualified as a plasterer back in 1985 when he completed an apprenticeship at the same Basford campus he’s been teaching at for the past 13 years. He’s now the Construction Manager and a member of the National Association of Plastering Lecturers.