Tom Shilling

Helping the next generation

Why Tom chose an apprenticeship route

“I chose the apprenticeship option because I knew I wanted to be a carpenter. From a young age I had been interested in carpentry and was always making things.”

What he enjoyed most during his time as an apprentice

“We worked on a wide range of projects and had the advantage of having a workshop so we were able to do joinery as well as carpentry work. We undertook a lot of bespoke work not just standard builds which was great for experience. I learnt to take pride in my work and always aim for excellence.”

Advice for future apprentices

“I would say an apprenticeship is a great start for you in further education. It’s something you will always be able to fall back on and you are likely to always have work. There are a wide range of career options and further education post-apprenticeship too.

My advice would be to do some work experience during your holidays in a trade you think you would enjoy. That’s what I did and it gave me a good idea of what the job is like. Any training you can gain will be worth it. It’s what will differentiate you from others and give you more options when applying for jobs.”