I wish I'd received more career advice in '96 when
I left Sprowston High School. They didn't push apprenticeships
- there was very little guidance about getting manual
or technical skills - they just wanted us to go on to
do 'A' levels and then go to university.
All the lads that went into plumbing or other trades
only did so because they were following in their Dads'
footsteps.
So I joined a big company in Norwich - I thought it
would be a good place to work while I decided what I
really wanted to do.
Looking back, I wish I'd gone straight into construction
when I left school - I would be much further along the
line than I am now. I am an outdoors, practical, sort
of person - that's why I like working in the construction
industry.
At May Gurney
I joined May Gurney after responding to an ad in my local paper.
I then spent a year at the CITB training centre at Bircham
Newton (in Norfolk).
At the end of my time there I was named CITB Apprentice
of the Year 2005, which was fantastic. Kriss Akabusi,
the athlete, presented the awards to me and the other
winners. He was pretty lively – he had lots of
time for everyone and made us feel very proud of our
achievements.
After CITB I joined the May Gurney gang working on
the Thickthorn roundabout on the A11 just outside Norwich
– and that’s where I’m working at
the moment.
I have also recently completed my NVQ Level 2.
I want to learn as many skilled jobs as I can from
the people I work with - so that I can be trusted to
do a job properly on my own in the future.
Away from work
Football is my main passion – following Norwich City, and
playing centre midfield for Coltishall in the Evening
News Sunday Premier League, and for Sprowston Wanderers
on Saturday.
I also enjoy lots of different types of music – R&B is my favourite.
