Recently students from Fareham College had a unique opportunity to get some industry experience and impress sailors at HMS Collingwood by getting creative in the establishment’s gymnasium.
The students, currently studying BTEC Level 3 Art and Design at the college, had been invited to work with the Royal Navy (RN) personnel from HMS Collingwood’s Sports and Recreation Centre (SARC) to redesign an area within the leisure complex.
With Fareham College requiring their students to complete 40 hours of work experience, per academic year, within an industry led environment to develop skills preparing them for the workplace, they jumped at the chance to once again unite the two organisations, which have an ongoing relationship.
The team of 8 students got to work, up-scaling a tailor-made stencil of silhouette figures carrying out strength exercises alongside a quote to decorate a wall within the fitness suite. They visited the site numerous times; designing, preparing and finally installing the stencil work.
Dale Pattenden, Art and Design Lecturer at Fareham College, said “The majority of this work has been down to the students, they prepared the stencilling, designed in and cut if out to install here today.
“We met with the staff at the SARC and discussed the needs, then began collaborating as a team, considering all the constraints, surveying, quotes, health and safety.
“There were limitations with the frame attached to the wall and the ventilation units that we had to take in to consideration to make sure everything was balanced.
“The students have learnt a lot and have gained an insight into industry standards”
One of the students, Phoebe Palmer said “This has been a great experience.
"I’ve enjoyed the professionalism of this project as it’s been great to have a real customer to work with; it’s taught me self-discipline and the ability to work to a brief.”
Fareham College and HMS Collingwood are now looking forward to collaborating on similar ideas in the future following the successful creative project.
