STUDENTS from the Heart of Worcestershire College’s Malvern campus have been tasked with designing and constructing a bespoke Christmas tree.
The structure has gone on display as part of the Christmas Tree Festival at Great Malvern Priory, and will be there until January 6.
This initiative merged technical skill with artistic expression, offering learners the unique opportunity to showcase their talents in a public setting.
The two-week construction project aims to celebrate local talent of young people, whilst bringing joy when it is installed and illuminated.
The students have used materials including recycled copper piping, compression fittings and soldiered joints, galvanised steel base supports, LED lighting and decorative plumbing components such as values, taps, gauges to finish the festive sculpture.
The Christmas project has allowed learners to practice skills that they’ve learned in the workshop such as pipe bending and forming, soldering, use of power tools, and electrical integration for lighting.
It has also been an opportunity for collaboration with fellow students, with electrical students creating a lighting system and engineering students designing and producing tree decorations and plaques.
Ryan Probert curriculum manager said: “This project has been a fantastic opportunity for our plumbing students to step outside the traditional workshop environment and apply their skills in a creative and meaningful way.
“Through the design and construction of the Christmas tree, our learners have demonstrated creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, company behaviours, and communication – our 5Cs. The pride and ownership the students have shown is inspiring.
“The collaboration showcases students’ work as well as the employers and strategic partners that we work with.”
