Changing your job can feel like a big step, especially if you’re already working in an industry you’ve known for decades.
We spoke to Charles, a student at our Construction Training Centre about why he decided to make the move into Bricklaying, and what the experience has been like so far.
What’s your background and why did you decide to start Bricklaying?
“I was born in London, and I grew up in London. At the age of 24, I became a bus driver in and have been doing that for the last 16 years.
“I moved to Canterbury about five years ago in Sturry, which is only down the road from Hersden.
“I needed a change from driving 100 miles a day. My dad was a plumbing and heating engineer, and when I was younger, in the school holidays, I used to go with him on sites and help him out. I was a kind of labourer if you like.
“I didn’t have any interest back then, but as I needed a change now and didn’t want to do bus driving anymore, I thought, what else could I do? What am I good at? I’ve always been good at things using my hands.
“I’m looking after my elderly mother and I’m with her at the moment, so I still need to bring in a wage to fund her and my lifestyle. I have a daughter who lives in Bournemouth as well, so I’ve got to fund her as well.
“I know I’m not young, but I thought, well, if they can do it, I can do it, why not? I might be nearly 40 years old, but I won’t be so pressured as an older learner.
“So far I’ve proved to myself and to the lecturers that I’m more than capable. I’m excelling, and it looks like I’m going to pass this course with flying colours. I do have an intention to go on to the Plastering course after this.”
How’s the process of learning a trade within 10 weeks?
“It’s very well structured. The Head of Centre, Will, has decided to do something different this time around.
“Instead of doing solid classroom work to begin with for the first few days, like you may expect with another provider, we’ve been doing a bit in the morning when we first come in, when we’re a lot fresher. Then in the afternoons we’ll go downstairs and do the practical. It seems to be working out quite well.
“We’re all still passing all of our theory tests and we much prefer this mix instead of sitting in the classroom all day. As I’m an older learner, I personally, tend to wane off with the mental side of things as the day goes on.
“The whole course is well structured, and the staff are very approachable.
“Any problems I’ve had, like if I don’t understand something, they’re very comfortable coming up to me and actually showing me how to do it, and from there I’m away.”
What do you like about the environment?
“I like the workshops themselves. I’m quite impressed.
“Even though it’s quite a small site, you get the best of both worlds in some respects, because there’s an inside space which can be used during winter when it’s really cold.
“The outside bricklaying yard has been perfect for the warmer months when I’ve been studying. There’s also welfare facilities like a breakout zone and all the materials are provided too.”
“Courses are run parallel with each other, so if you have people doing Bricklaying and people doing Plastering, they’re always mixing around and it creates a great team environment, so you’re around each other a lot. It’s a pleasant learning environment overall.
“It’s one of the more beneficial learning experiences that I’ve ever had, whereas when I was in secondary school and went on to College, it was all very much spread out, and it wasn’t a nice environment for me. I quite like being close-knit and in a small group.”
“This also means the lecturers can dedicate their resources to everyone equally and not stretched across a large group of people.”
How have you found coming back to learning as an adult?
“It took a huge leap of faith. I was very apprehensive at first, but my worries turned out to be unfounded. I have a desire to be something, and at the end of the day, I am being given the tools to get where I need to be and where I want to be.
“I don’t really let any doubts come in, because at the end of the day, it’s about me wanting to be somebody. If you’re older, I would definitely recommend it.
“If you’re stuck doing a dead-end job over and over and you want to try something else, and you think you’ll be good at something else, I would recommend it.”
Do you have any tips or anything for people unsure whether they want to take that step? Is there anything that you’d suggest to them?
“I would make sure you do your due diligence.
“Make sure you can cover yourself, because ten weeks is a long period of time. If you’re on the fence and you really don’t think you can do it, find more information out, because if you are, like I was, stuck in a dead-end job, just not enjoying it, you’re only going to make yourself more depressed and more unhappy the longer that goes on.
“You’ll be happier doing what you want to do, not what someone else wants you to do.
“I can guarantee personally that you’ll be a lot calmer and a lot happier person if you do something that you want to do.
“I wanted to be a bricklayer and now the fact I can go onto Plastering is an added bonus. So, yeah, take a leap of faith, but make sure you’ve done your due diligence beforehand.”
What do you hope to do after this course finishes?
“I took it upon myself now to do this for me, but also with a view to involve my cousin at a later date and time.
“I want to eventually, after a couple of years’ experience, have further examinations so I am fully proficient in the trade of Bricklaying.
“I would also like to then start a company up eventually, and I want to bring my cousin in. I’m going to hopefully fund his CSCS card so at least he’ll be able to come on site with me so he can start getting experience.
“So that’s the plan, to become a limited company eventually, property services, bricklaying, and go wherever the work is really, which fortunately for us here in Kent, there seems to be a lot in the pipeline ready to go.
“I know a lot of people who have stopped doing stuff after they’ve retired and I don’t want that.
“Keep yourself busy, keep yourself motivated, and keep going. That’s the motto for me.”
Thinking about work in Construction?
Charles’ story is one example of how practical and supportive training can help people build confidence and move into a new job.
Find out more about our Bricklaying and Plastering courses at our Construction Training Centre, based in Hersden near Canterbury.
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