NEWS
Work Your Way – In Partnership
26.09.24
MPower Kernow’s 150-year-old Grade 2* listed turntable has gone from at risk to fully functional - with help from our students.
Last month MPower Kernow unveiled their National Railway Heritage Award for Partnership Working for their restoration project on the St Blazey turntable. The restoration project started in 2021 and has brought the turntable from at risk to fully functional.
CRCC’s Work Your Way programme has been working with MPower Kernow for three years to give students the opportunity to learn new skills and gain insight into a new industry. This included being part of their pilot project and official opening, with a visit from the stream locomotive ‘Flying Scotsman’.
Over the past three years numerous students have benefitted from their time volunteering at MPower – they have built confidence, knowledge and understanding of the industry.
The students experience life in a real working environment and learn about industrial processes including Health and Safety in the workplace and correct use of PPE. The students also learn about the construction industry in lessons on cement mixing and steel cutting with an Oxy-Acetylene torch, taught by time served engineers with a wealth of knowledge to share.
Last month, at the award unveiling, WYW students were invited to operate the turntable with the newly restored shunting loco ‘Brian’ on its rails. Not only did the students play an important role on the day by winding the handles on the ‘hand operated’ turn table but their time volunteering helped return the machinery to its former glory.