Students get hands-on with hand tool demo kit

The event included practical demonstrations from Starrett’s experts, as well as opportunities for the apprentices to practice using the tools themselves. The company’s range of power tool accessories and hand tools include thousands of products that are well suited for apprentices and students hoping to embark on a trade career.

The objective of the event was to provide the apprentices of Llandrillo College with valuable trade insight to complement their academic studies and practical work placements. Alongside equipment demonstrations from the technical support team, the students attended a lecture about how to use the range of Starrett tools in a correct, safe and effective way.

At the end of the two-day workshop, students and apprentices were invited to take part in a competitive hacksaw challenge - an against-the-clock task to make a precise cut using one of Starrett’s saws. The winner, Dominic Higgins, is a second-year plumbing student at Llandrillo College and is currently working in industry as a plumber for Denbighshire Council. Higgins successfully cut through a 22mm iron pipe in just five seconds and was awarded with a Starrett tool kit.

“For our students and apprentices there is no better way to gain product knowledge than to take the advice of the manufacturers themselves,” explained Chris Walling, work-based assessor of the apprenticeship department at Llandrillo College. “A common issue for apprentices and recently qualified traders is misuse of equipment. By calling in industry experts, manufacturers and product suppliers, we can ensure our students understand how to use tools and equipment in the safest and most effective way, enhancing their education in a meaningful way.”

“Meeting apprentices and recently qualified traders and introducing them to Starrett’s product range is always a pleasure,” stated John Cove, Marketing Manager at Starrett. “Spurred on by the interactive nature of the demonstration day, Llandrillo’s students showed enthusiasm to learn about the correct ways to use Starrett’s hand tools and how to get the best out of them. They’re working towards careers where safety and precision is paramount, and the visit to Llandrillo was an incredibly positive sign that we can rely on the tradesmen and women of tomorrow.”