Which company do you work for?

I work for the family business D.W. Begley Carpentry and Joinery, producing doors, windows and stairs and fitting them into houses on-site.

What are the good bits about your job?

I like my apprenticeship because I learn skills at college that I can then apply straight away at work which helps me progress during work time.

Why did you choose this career?

I chose a Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship because my Dad has been a carpenter and joiner for the last 30 years and I enjoyed working for him during the school holidays. So I followed in his footsteps once I'd finished school.

What do you do day-to-day?

We manufacture bespoke joinery items - anything that you can't buy. It's made-to-measure and fitted by us. What I really like is that it's doing a highly skilled trade that's been around for centuries and will be around after me.

What's the coolest thing you've done so far?

I think the coolest thing that I've done so far and that I'm quite proud of is winning my regional SkillBuild heat in Joinery. I had to manufacture a complex joinery frame using techniques that I wouldn't normally use on a day-to-day basis at work.

What would you say to anyone who wanted to try this?

It's a great way to earn a living and a trade that you can always fall back on to earn money whatever happens, because the trade will always be around and things will always need to be built. Also, you're building things that will outlive you and making your own personal mark on the area where you work.