Gurkhas on the march for City & Guilds honours
Gurkhas are equipping themselves with City & Guilds qualifications in the calmer confines of the classroom
20 May 2013
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When up to 100 Gurkhas identified a need for basic construction skills following years of military service, the Able Skills College in Dartford wasn’t about to argue.
Having returned from some uncompromising environments overseas, the ex-soldiers are equipping themselves with some vital City & Guilds qualifications in the calmer confines of the classroom.
Gurkhas training for City & Guilds qualifications.
Able Skills Director Gary Measures said that the Gurkhas were working towards a number of qualifications – including multi-craft diplomas – to set them off on the right foot away from the battlefield.
He said: “City & Guilds offers practical programmes which is ideal because the Gurkhas want to learn in a number of different environments.
“Because we have been teaching them for some time now, our instructors have actually learnt to speak Nepalese to help them understand each lesson.
Some of the Gurkhas have served for 25 years, so they are not necessarily equipped for a “normal” live as we all know it.
“The City & Guilds courses are great. They can cater for those who just want to be able to fix a leak in their kitchen or plaster a wall in their front room,” says Gary.
He believes they can be equally relevant for those who want to forge a career in the construction industry.
“It is a pleasure to be able to teach them and they really are a joy to work with,” concludes Gary.