A specialist concrete company is offering an opportunity to attend workshop sessions designed to equip trade participants with all the skills needed to build concrete worktops.

Whatley firm, Greencrete, is running its 'Essentials of Concrete' in January, February and March.

A spokesman for the firm said the first series of workshop sessions in 2009 will be offered from 19th-23rd January.

"It will take place from 9:30am-5:00pm on each of the days," he said.

"This workshop will provide participants with all of the skills necessary to design, fabricate, seal and install concrete countertops," explaining that they are very much "hands-on workshops".

"All students will be encouraged to bring their best ideas and

to get their hands dirty," he said.

"Everyone will design, template, build forms, create mixes and pour, cast, cure, seal and finish a professional-grade concrete worktop to take home," he said.

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Specifically, instructors will cover how to design a concrete piece; how to go about building a template and forming the mould.

It will also look at concrete mix design, pigments and aggregate choices and look at how to best choose the right materials for templating, mould making and specific mixes.

It will also examine placement techniques for different mixes as well as slab polishing; sealing and the finishing of ground and unground finish pieces.

The workshop will also examine the best choices for finishing equipment and offer hands-on equipment demos for use throughout the class and cover slab transportation and installation.

A novel addition will be to look at business building strategies to include advertising, working with architects and kitchen shops, and how to best approach costing, estimating, controlling expenses, and even how to turn waste into profit.

Greencrete's class fees will include refreshments, snacks and lunch each day, all materials for completion of individual polished concrete piece and the use of all necessary finishing equipment.

After class support will include technical guidance, estimating options, marketing assistance and the supply of samples.

"As the class size is limited to just eight students - to ensure hands-on learning and adequate question and answer sessions - availability is limited, so early booking is recommended," concluded the spokesman.

The cost for the five-day training workshop is £950.00 per person and other worktop class dates for 2009 include 23rd-27th February and 23rd-27th March.

Contact: Greencrete, Coombe Building Unit 2, Whatley nr Frome BA11 3JU. Phone 01373 836622 or 01375 800446 to book places.

(BMcC)