Lights, camera, careers at Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm2nd Aug 2018

A leading engineering company has teamed up with Denbighshire school children to produce a film about careers in engineering.

Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK invited 35 primary school children to the Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm for a day of filming on the 27-turbine development.

The project, run in partnership with Arts & Business (A&B) Cymru, brought together Jones Bros, pop video producer Rob Spaul, and year 5 and 6 pupils from Ysgol Bro Elwern, Ysgol Betws Gwerful Goch, and Ysgol Carreg Emlyn.

The school children created storyboards, operated the camera, conducted interviews with Jones Bros employees about the wind farm development, and edited the footage.

Jones Bros’ site agent Rhys Roberts discussed his role at the company with the pupils, having first joined as an apprentice in 2007.

Just over 10 years later, he is now helping deliver the circa £20million Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm for client innogy Renewables UK.

He said: “We were keen to work with these rural schools because a number of our staff members live in these areas.

“We are also hoping this will help us create a workforce for the future by attracting more youngsters into the world of engineering.

“As a company that prides itself on being an equal opportunities employer, we want to emphasise that engineering is a great career choice for girls and boys.

“I’m sure it’s an education for the children to realise the sheer variety of jobs available. It’s not just engineers like myself. There are design consultants, electricians, joiners and drivers – the list goes on and on.”

Ruth James, director at Jones Bros, said: “We work closely with communities to help educate about the range of opportunities at companies like Jones Bros.

“This is the third project Arts and Business Cymru have brokered for us. They are able to facilitate opportunities for us to inform young people of the different aspects of our industry in creative ways while also supporting Welsh artists.

“Our hope is that the project will inspire the school children to find out more about a career in civil engineering.”

The scheme is part-funded by A&B Cymru’s CultureStep investment programme, which invests £80,000 into business and arts partnerships each year.

CultureStep allows businesses to become engaged with programmes which benefit socially disadvantaged groups in Wales.

Gwenno Angharad, North Wales partnerships director of A&B Cymru, said: “We are delighted to have instigated this brilliant project and it’s clear the children taking part are getting a huge amount out of it.

“I am also so pleased that A&B Cymru has been able to contribute to the initiative via CultureStep. The programme invests £80,000 into business and arts partnerships each year. This in turn levers a further £300,000 from business directly into projects that benefit socially disadvantaged groups and address a range of critical issues in Wales, from health to poverty and the environment.”

For more information about A&B Cymru check out www.aandbcymru.org.uk.