“One of the best things for me about joinery is the challenge of creating intricate woodwork and the satisfaction of knowing it will be there for many years.
“I learned the skills for my trade by progressing up the levels. The department has many industry links and I was introduced to Total Care for my first year’s work placement. I continued working for the company alongside my college training and now have a permanent job.
“My best college experiences were representing Reaseheath in an inter-college skills competition and winning the senior section, and then at a WorldSkills UK regional competition, where I was highly placed too. Competing improved my joinery skills because I had to work efficiently under pressure, and also allowed me to showcase my skills.”