From Apprentice of the year to multi-skilled builder, joiner Danny takes a step closer to achieving his dream with Preston’s College

With a passion for practical learning, 24 year old Danny began a joinery apprenticeship aged 16. Winning Apprentice of the Year in his second year, he quickly progressed onto a Level 3 Joinery course before setting up a successful business, working as a self-employed Joiner.

Undertaking a range of jobs, from kitchen fitting, internal door fitting, flooring and skirting boards to decking, tiling and windows, Danny quickly realised jobs were being delayed, as he needed to call in a plasterer to undertake small tasks such as stud walls and basic skimming, tasks he wished he could complete himself.

With a desire to not only learn additional construction skills but the drive to undertake additional work himself, Danny researched courses in Plastering and discovered the Level 1 Plastering course at Preston’s College was available on an evening study basis.

Completing the course mid-2019, Danny immediately enrolled upon the Level 2, studied over two evenings per week, which he describes as “much more intense, with a requirement to produce a considerably higher level of work.”

Studying a variety of units, Danny can now confidently undertake a range of essential key techniques including floating and skimming, rendering, fibrous work, panel moulding and dry walling.

Speaking about his time on the course to date, Danny said:

“The Level 2 Plastering course is a smaller group, with eight other learners in the class. This means tutor support is always freely available when needed, with teaching staff constantly walking between bays, providing advice on the correct way to undertake a task, offering advice on rectifying mistakes and undertaking demonstrations on how to complete a particular task correctly.”

With inspiration from a multi-skilled builder he regularly works alongside, Danny’s ultimate plan is to be able to work as a multi-skilled builder himself. This ambition has provided Danny with the drive to begin considering his next steps. With plans to progress onto the Level 1 Plumbing course here at Preston’s College in September 2020, successful completion will allow him to gain additional skills to undertake more work independently and move closer to achieving his career goal.

If you are interested in joining one of our adult construction courses, starting in September 2020, click here to find out more and apply here.