After studying motor cycle mechanics at another
college, the 21-year-old from Manor Drive, Wembley moved on to
bigger things at Willesden - accompanied by CNWL & City Lit
specialist Paul who supports him during lessons and explains the
technicalities of the course in sign language.
Eighteen months later, Fijian-born Conrad has made such great
progress that in March 2010 he won the overall champion's prize for
Paint Refinishing at the College's annual Industry Day, featuring
hundreds of students from many disciplines competing in trade
challenges at the Dudden Hill Lane campus.
The 14 trade skills champions have now been honoured at a
presentation awards dinner in a restaurant suite overlooking
Wembley Stadium - and Conrad was among them.
With him were his parents Richard and Tina - and Tina made sure he
understood and enjoyed the evening by interpreting all the speeches
in sign language to her son throughout the ceremony.
Mum Tina learned how to sign 12 years ago - coincidentally at the
College of North West London. She felt it was the best way to
communicate with her son because he struggles with lip reading
owing to a peripheral vision impairment which also prevents him
from driving.
Dad Richard does not sign but he has his own ways of communicating
with his son. And now Conrad's teacher Stuart Dingwall has also
acquired the rudiments of signing, following a deaf awareness
course laid on for ten staff across the Faculty of
Technology.
"There are several hearing impaired students in the Faculty of
Technology. I communicate a bit in sign language, but Conrad and I
have almost developed our own pigeon language, and if I sign
something wrong, he lets me know. He's got a great sense of
humour," said Stuart. "He's an absolutely brilliant painter, and he
supports the same rugby team as me - Wasps - so I can't really
lose!"
Conrad got the top marks in his Level 2 group and overall in Paint
Refinishing when Level 1, 2 and 3 students competed during Industry
Day - also known as Construction and Engineering Open Day - on
March 24. He hopes to work in a specialist garage that combines
motor bike and car work once he qualifies. He says: "It can be hard
sometimes, but I enjoy the course and I love painting."
The stadium dinner on Wed April 28 was supported by more than two
dozen sponsors from industry and education who provided funding or
prizes. Guest speakers were Shogo Ando, managing director of air
conditioning giant Daikin UK Ltd which has close links with CNWL,
and Patrick Gormley, regional partnerships manager of UK
Skills.
Other vehicle trade champions were Rawshat Rostam (Mechanics) and
Danny Golhar (Body Repair), who works for an accident repair
centre.
Two Level 2 apprentices from the nationwide apprentice training
group JTL were among the champions. They were Scott Gillespie
(Production and Maintenance Engineering) - a 22-year-old from
Enfield, who maintains equipment at Barnet Hospital, and top
electrician Lewis Gray (Electrical Installation), from South
Woodford, who works for Gratte Brothers. Lewis, who is 20, gained
non-stop distinctions during his course and achieved a mark of 98
per cent on Industry Day.
Lewis and three other champions will be going forward to regional
skills competitions in May. They include Plastering champion Daniel
Buckley (SkillBuild), Plumbing champion Kevin Keaney (SkillPlumb)
and Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning champion Michael Langley
(Skillfridge).
The other six trade champions were: Tom Polo (Welding &
Fabrication), Jorgie Spicer-Williams (Painting & Decorating),
Radoslaw Zielonka (Carpentry & Joinery), Jack Shanahan
(Bricklaying), Dean Nairne (Gas and Heating & Ventilation) and
Sebastian Thompson (Electronics).
Special prizes were presented to two Swedish students - Jens Palm
(mechanical engineering) and Kristina Erlandsson (painting &
decorating). They were among ten students from Tullangsskolan
College near Stockholm who competed on Industry Day, thanks to a
partnership set up by British teacher Andrew Crowson who works in
Sweden. The best two were invited back to attend the Wembley
Stadium event.
For more information about the subject of this case study - contact
Patrick Leavey, Head of
Technology Faculty, CNWL or visit the College of North
West London website