Students set for a brush with business

One of the UK’s largest paint manufacturers has enlisted students at Preston’s College to bring its colourful history to life.

The college has teamed up with Crown Paints as part of its ‘project based learning’ approach, which sees learners work on live projects set by real employers.

Crown Paints has given the students access to unused space at its headquarters in Darwen and tasked them with turning it into a Crown Paints Museum to showcase old archive materials and memorabilia – some of which are more than 100 years old.

Students are involved in all aspects of the creation of the museum, from planning and design to construction.

Level 3 Art and Design students are currently working with the team at Crown Paints through briefings, workshops and presentations, to come up with the designs.

They are being assisted by Bev Wood, owner of Lytham-based design consultancy BWD, who is helping to facilitate their ideas.

Lisa Edge, head of commercial development at Preston’s College, said: “Project based learning increases student engagement and gives them a chance to dig into challenges that closely resemble the challenges they may face in their working lives, Crown Paints is helping us to bridge the gap between education and industry and allowing us to generate the most employable learners.

“The learners are actively involved in the project and we can see the benefit already in terms of the way they are taking responsibility for their own learning and really getting stuck in. Their understanding and creativity so far has been outstanding and we’re looking forward to seeing the finished product.”

The students are working to a brief set by Mark Bannister, learning and development manager at Crown Paints, to express the company’s impressive history in a creative way.

Mark said: “Working with the students has added a brand new perspective and dimension to bringing the Crown story and history to life. “It’s been a real pleasure working with them, and seeing how they have brought creativity, knowledge and commitment to the project.”