Sianco builds his future in painting and decorating

At CCTAL, we know that early work experience can play a vital role in helping young people discover the right career path, and Sianco Emmanuel’s journey is a great example of how practical opportunities can lead directly into long-term employment.

Sianco completed a six-week painting placement with Carmarthenshire County Council through our Pathway to Your Future work experience programme, supported by the UK Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in partnership with the Council.

During the placement, Sianco improved his painting skills and got a better understanding of what day-to-day work on site is really like, learning directly from the team.

Reflecting on the opportunity, Sianco said:

“My six weeks of work experience with Carmarthenshire County Council were incredible. I got hands-on with real painting and decorating work, like prepping walls, mixing paints, and trying out different finishing techniques. Learning directly from the team and seeing how they manage real projects taught me so much and made me feel ready to take on more responsibility.”

This experience builds on Sianco’s earlier placement with the Council, first arranged while he was studying at Ysgol y Strade. Attending site alongside his GCSE studies, he worked with the Property Maintenance Team and mentor Adrian Brown, gaining experience across a range of council buildings and residential properties.

Since leaving school, Sianco has continued to progress in the trade. In September 2025, he enrolled onto the Cyfle Building Skills Shared Apprenticeship Scheme, beginning an apprenticeship in painting and decorating while studying towards his Level 3 City & Guilds qualification at Coleg Sir Gâr – Ammanford Campus, alongside his employment with Carmarthenshire County Council.

Sianco’s journey shows how targeted work experience through programmes like Pathway to Your Future can help young people build confidence, develop practical skills and take clear steps towards long-term employment.