Michael Goulding,
Age 23

Qualification
NVQ Level 2 Craft Masonry, NVQ Level 3 Advanced Craft Banker Masonry 
   
What do you do day-to-day?
We work mainly on restoration and conservation of buildings such as cathedrals. I am mainly in the workshop, crafting and shaping blocks of stone. Then the fixer-mason will put them into place on site. I am currently learning to do the fixer's job as well.

What advice would you give prospective students?
The job is absolutely great and the courses are enjoyable. I would recommend apprenticeships as you learn, earn and get qualified. There is really good funding in the industry for training.

Good bits about your job?
The satisfaction of making something you know will still be there, being admired in 100 years' time. Also it gives me a skill I can use to travel abroad, which is really exciting.

Why did you choose this career?
Well, it lets me 'learn while I earn', which means I'm not short of cash. Apart from that, it looked really interesting!

What does the future hold?
There is good demand for Stonemasons both in the UK and abroad, so I have a lot of opportunity in the future. I would like to start my own business once I have more experience.