OP Case Study National Waterways Museum Building opportunities with West Cheshire College

National Waterways Museum -­‐ Building opportunities with West Cheshire College to meet work based skills needs in Ellesmere Port

The National Waterways Museum began life in the 1970s and is based in the historic canal docks at Ellesmere Port. The Museum has undergone a transformation in recent years. A new strategic framework focuses on outcomes to enrich lives where learning is innovative, accessible, tailored, and also relevant to employment. Skills development and employability are key features in partnerships and projects being undertaken on site.

The Museum is close to a campus of West Cheshire College where City and Guilds and BTEC Diplomas in Brickwork, Carpentry and Joinery, Painting and Decorating are offered. The College prides itself on combining the high standards of tuition with work-­‐based skills development so that learners can access opportunity and achieve their full potential. A natural partnership became apparent to John Inch, General Manager at the Museum. The Museum could meet its commitment to contributing to the growth of skills in the future workforce in the local area by providing plenty of practical and workplace based opportunities to develop these skills. There was plenty of material to work with. The Museum occupies a large site with a variety of buildings dating from the 19th century including blacksmith’s forge, Island Warehouse, Porter's Row of cottages, power hall, pump house and stables as well as having a nationally important boat collection.

Tutors at West Cheshire College were given a tour of the site, and a list of 30+ maintenance projects required at the museum. The Museum choose not to be prescriptive in what projects the college got involved with, recognising that all the activities had to fit into the current curriculum. Colin Wilson, Programme Leader Construction says the benefits for students is being in a real working environment where they realise that any work they have done will be seen by the public and not just an exercise in a workshop. “I think it has encouraged them to take a lot more pride in their work, as one of the jobs was to paint a canal boat; they really enjoyed working on this project as it was something that was completely different.”

To date a programme of activities have begun where the college now builds in activities on site to give life experience in trade. Rooms, windows, doors and door frames have been painted as well as the Museum’s trip boat. Picnic furniture and walls have been repaired. So what’s next? Well, the Museum has a cafe on site and West Cheshire College runs courses in Hospitality and Catering!

Further information John Inch, General Manager, National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port Email: John.Inch@thewaterwaystrust.org.uk

National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port http://nwm.org.uk/Home.html

West Cheshire College www.west-­‐cheshire.ac.uk/