Learning and firefighting run in the family for three generations of Robert Gunton

A grandad, father and son who share the same historic name have upskilled for the future at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor.

Robert David Gunton, who teaches plumbing at the Dolgellau CaMDA campus, is the 10th in a long line of Robert Guntons going back more than two centuries.

This summer, Rob achieved his Professional Certificate of Education (PCE), becoming the first in his family to graduate from a university-level course.

His eldest son, the 11th Robert Gunton - known as Robert John to avoid confusion - also had reason to celebrate, winning the Achiever of the Year award for the college’s engineering department.

Rob’s father Bob has also been enjoying his learning, with the ninth Robert Gunton keeping his skills sharp by completing a DIY plumbing course at the CaMDA construction and engineering campus.

And it's not just a name and an appetite for learning that all three Robert Guntons share, with Rob having followed Bob into the fire service, while Robert John is about to do the same.

Rob said: “My dad (Bob) is a retired full-time firefighter. I’m also a part-time firefighter, so when I was doing my PCE, I’d be working at CaMDA from 8.30am until lunchtime, then going to the top college for my PCE, then getting home and having a quick shower and a shave before going to work as a firefighter.

“Robert John has also applied to join and has just had his medical, so he’ll combine that with college. So when he’s not in college he’ll be on call.”

Having achieved his PCE, Robert now works as a part-time lecturer at the CaMDA campus, which he combines with his previous role as a practical skills supervisor.

“I started here originally as a technician and a practical skills supervisor in 2001,” said Rob. “I stepped in to help whenever they were short-staffed, and I enjoyed the teaching side of things. I slowly took on more responsibility and really enjoyed it, so when I had the opportunity to do my PCE I grabbed it with both hands.”

At first he felt overawed by the challenge of returning to education, but his tutors soon made him feel comfortable and the course has had a hugely positive impact on his work life.

“The only thing I found daunting was the thought of going back to do a Higher Education course, because the last time I was in college was 28 years ago,” said Rob.

“I felt like I had to work my socks off just to be there compared to some of the others on the course who had been to uni. But the tutors were brilliant, and told me I’d done more than enough to be there and that I wasn’t just ticking a box. I enjoyed the course, made good friends and finished last year with a merit.

“Two of my colleagues from CaMDA were also on the course, and this year there’s another two going for it. We’ve told them it’s well worth doing.”

The graduation ceremony at Venue Cymru was an emotional moment for Rob, who said: “None of my family have ever gone to uni so I didn’t know what to expect at the graduation. When they read out my name, just for a split second I had to swallow a lump in my throat.

“The course has made a difference in my work life, to the way I teach. The things you pick up through the course, how you can improve your teaching methods, the feedback they give you to develop - all of that comes together and you take it forward with you.”

Less than a month before the graduation ceremony, the Guntons had been at the Dolgellau campus for Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor’s annual Achievers’ Awards, where they saw 18-year-old Robert John recognised for the dedication he had shown to his Level 2 Fabrication and Welding course.

“He won the award for his overall effort,” dad Rob added. “He was the most improved learner throughout the year - he had some feedback on how he needed to improve in certain areas, and he just got on with it. He is now studying Level 3 Fabrication and Welding, and hopes to progress to Level 3 Engineering.”

Rob was one of the teachers last year on a hugely popular plumbing course that was offered through Multiply - with his dad Bob among the learners.

“We had so many students that we had two groups, which meant I could make sure I wasn’t teaching my dad!” he said.

“It was a really worthwhile course, and I really enjoyed teaching it. A lot of people have told me they’ve changed their own radiators at home and things like that since doing the course.

“My dad very much likes to keep on top of skills and improve himself, and a lot of the information was new to him. Although he doesn’t need to change his own radiators because he’s got me to do that for him!”

Do you want to unlock your teaching potential? Places are still available on Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s PGCE and PCE courses - follow the links to apply or to learn more