Tobin runs his own business, G17 Brickwork, providing a trusted local external home maintenance service alongside his team, with over 35 years of combined experience in labouring.
After studying our Bricklaying course at EKC Training Construction Training Centre, Tobin was able to build on his existing skills and expand his services to include brickwork repair.
We spoke to Tobin at the Centre to learn more about his experience and how the course supported his professional development.
What made you choose the Bricklaying course at EKC Construction Training Centre?
“My dad and my grandad were builders, so I’ve always been interested in Construction. I found out I had a bit of a flair for it when I was younger.
“Over time, I’ve been a labourer and a handyman, completing tasks such as fixing fencing and unblocking drains, but I wanted to other new services to my clients.
“That’s when I discovered this Bricklaying course. As I run my own business, it’s important to always learn new skills so you have new clients.”
What’s one key thing you’ve taken away from your course?
“I’ve never been an academic person. I’m more of a practical person, but I came up top of the class which has given me a lot more self-confidence overall in my work.
“Will, the Head of Centre here, is a fantastic gentleman. He’s got a whole fountain of knowledge you can learn from, and it just instilled the hunger to go and succeed.”
Speaking of Will, what is the support like?
“The lecturers here are fantastic. If I got confused or if I didn’t quite understand how to do something, Will and the team would take time.
“I really enjoyed that here, there’s a personal touch. You can focus one-to-one rather than just becoming another number in a classroom.”
What does your day-to-day work look like now?
“On an average day, I get up, put my boots on, get in the truck and then go to whatever job I’m on.
“In one project I’m doing at the moment, we’re doing a lot of shuttering and concreting. We’ve got four cubes of concrete going in and then we’ve got a trench to dig. After we fill it in with concrete there’s about 250 nine-inch hollow concrete blocks going in. So that should keep me busy for the next few weeks!”
You’ve since come back to the Centre to speak to new learners. What advice have you given them that you’d like others to take away?
“All the advice I’ve given them is hopefully something they remember!
“It is all right to be selective with your work. Focus on quality rather than just money and always deliver work to a standard that you’d be happy with in your own home.”
Why would you recommend someone to come and study bricklaying here?
“The experiences here you’ll get are fantastic and it will set you up for life. You can turn your hand to it a new trade whenever you want to and create something wonderful and masterful. The door here is always open.
“Again, this course and the centre gave me the self-confidence and the motivation to go and do it. Just remember that nothing is impossible.”
If you’re looking to gain new skills like Tobin and offer more services in Construction, EKC Training is a great place to start.
Our EKC Training Construction Training Centre, located in Hersden near Canterbury, will give you specialist training in Bricklaying and Plastering.
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