James

James Wright is studying Site Carpentry at NCC’s Construction and Engineering Campus in Rainham as well as working as an apprentice for South Eastern Carpentry (SEC).

James, 19, was highlighted for his great work fitting skirting boards and installing doors at the new Park Rise retirement village development in Hornchurch – a joint venture between Havering Council and building company Wates.

After his GCSEs, he left school and took up the Construction Skills course at the Rainham Campus, which included bricklaying, plastering and carpentry. He progressed to the Site Carpentry course and after a successful work trial at SEC, he was offered an apprenticeship with them.

He now works for SEC on sites across London while on day release from college and says the apprenticeship has really boosted his confidence.

Read our Q&A below with James to find out how the apprenticeship and the carpentry course at New City College helped him to become a skilled tradesperson:

What inspired you to choose the Site Carpentry course at Rainham?

I had previously completed the Level 1 and I saw the potential to build a career out of carpentry and construction, so I decided to continue and take the next level.

How has the course prepared you for an apprenticeship and your future career?

When I first started, I had no idea what I was doing. The first couple of weeks were a learning curve, but I quickly realised that you have to get stuck in and start learning by doing. You progress. Now when I go to work, I can get on with tasks confidently.

What skills have you developed that have helped you in your apprenticeship?

One of the skills I have gained is problem-solving. Before, if a problem arose, I would just look at it unsure of what to do. Now I can identify the problem and find a solution.

What has been the most valuable part of your experience so far?

The most valuable part has been learning how to use the tools. Having the hands-on experience has made a huge difference.

What advice would you give students considering an apprenticeship?

I would say stick it out for more than two weeks. Some apprentices join and feel hesitant, especially when it comes to using tools, and they give up easily. My advice is to ask questions and get involved as much as you can.

What would you like to do after your apprenticeship?

I would like to stay in the same field of work, and secure a permanent job with the company I’m with at the moment and progress from there.

Can you tell us about your role with the Park Rise Retirement Home project?

I started off working on second fixes, including skirtings, doors, and reveals. As the project progressed, I worked on fixing snagging issues and replacing anything that needed repairing. I was there for about five months.

What has been the most rewarding part of your apprenticeship so far?

There’s a great sense of achievement when you’re given a task – like fitting something – and you’re not sure if you’ll manage, but then it goes well because you’ve developed the skills to do it properly. At the end of the day, you feel like you’ve earned your pay, and that’s really rewarding.

Did you face any challenges and how did you overcome them?

One challenge was the language barrier with some workers and managers. Another big challenge was my own confidence – I was worried about making mistakes. But with time and training, I became more comfortable, and now I am confident completing the tasks I am given.

What support have you received from your tutors at NCC and your employers?

My tutors and employers have been really encouraging. I haven’t had any major problems at all and I am grateful for the support I have received throughout.

Do you want to learn a trade? Apply for one of our construction courses at New City College and kick-start your career!