Nathan constructs his future in joinery
Experience Edinburgh College - Experience Construction
Edinburgh College Intro to Construction student Nathan Dickson is looking forward to beginning his career in joinery following the completion of his college course and work placement with Robertson Construction.
Eighteen-year-old Nathan undertook the college’s entry-level course to gain insight into a variety of building trades including carpentry and joinery, painting and decorating, brickwork, tiling and plasterwork. During his time on the course, Nathan gained the knowledge and experience required to enter the construction industry, learning skills that enable students who complete the course to progress onto a higher-level in specific subject areas and enter the world of work.
To put his newly gained skills to work, Nathan undertook a one-week joinery placement with Robertson Construction Central East, part of Robertson Group. During his time with the construction company, Nathan gained real-world experience working on-site where he shadowed skilled joiners.
Edinburgh College and Robertson Group work together to provide students with hands-on experience and development opportunities, bridging the gap between the classroom and the world of work through widening access to careers in construction, providing work experience and ensuring college training and education align with industry needs.
Nathan said: “I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when I left school but knew I wanted to do something where I could see the results of my work in a visual way. It was by chance that I looked into construction as a career whilst in my final year at school. I applied to do the Intro to Construction course at Edinburgh College last August so as to give me a flavour of the different trades. I have just finished this course and it was then that I decided Joinery would be the trade I would like to pursue.
“When the opportunity came up to do a work placement on a site with Robertson Construction, I put myself forward for it, was given an interview and offered the chance to go and work with a joiner on site. I was able to shadow some joiners on a site and got a really good taste of working in the trade as well as an insight into working on a construction site. I really enjoyed this experience and I am grateful for the opportunity. I am so glad I chose to do construction as a career for the job security, opportunities to travel and also the possibility it gives to have my own business one day. I am really excited to see what the future holds!”
Nathan’s lecturer James Kennedy said: “Nathan will make an excellent apprentice, he has a great attitude and work ethic, as well as top attendance and time keeping. I look forward to hearing about Nathan’s future career and successes in the joinery industry.”