trainee carpenter needs advice

Discussion in 'Job Talk' started by chris belding, Jul 20, 2014.

  1. chris belding

    chris belding New Member

    Hi everyone this is my first thread/post on this forum.

    I'm just looking for advice on how to find work in the Swindon/Wiltshire area.
    I qualified a few years ago and have spent some time on a new build site but unfortunately the site came to completion and the carpenter i was working under got work too far for me to travel.
    for the past 9 months (ish) I've been joining the army to do carpentry in the engineers but unfortunately that's no longer an option due to a medical requirement so I'm back looking for a trainee role.
    I feel I'm in an awkward situation because I'm qualified but lack the experience to go on my own but it seems trainee or carpenters mate work is very rare.
    I have a full driving license and a lot of my own tools from 18v-110 and hand tools.

    So if anyone on here can point me in the direction of companies that still use trainee carpenters or even advice on how you would tackle my situation.

    thanks everyone

    chris
     
  2. metrokitchens

    metrokitchens Screwfix Select

    Get a van, start out cheap, take over the area. I bet you are better at joinery than this 40 year old wannabe.
     
    FatHands likes this.
  3. Supra

    Supra Member

    Who? :rolleyes:
     
  4. chris belding

    chris belding New Member

    thanks for the reply metrokitchens,
    I did think of doing that but I'm worried that my experience will force me to pass on many jobs.
    I think I need to go on with someone, even if its just laboring for them to get my experience up to be able to tackle jobs on my own.
     
  5. metrokitchens

    metrokitchens Screwfix Select

    Ha. All the young trainees I have had think they know everything and refuse to sweep up. You seem to have the right attitude so relax and be confident in yourself.
    You can always take your time working to get a real good finish if you are happy to earn less. Then when you speed up you will earn more.
     
  6. flateric

    flateric Well-Known Member

    With that attitude you deserve to get an helping hand, although I can not help in any way good luck for the future. Some of the young lads I have been with ........... Surprised I am not on a murder charge :D
     
  7. chris belding

    chris belding New Member

    thanks guys.
    I take the trade seriously so I'm glad it shows through in my attitude.
    I will keep searching, there must be some work around my way as there are new builds popping up all over the place.
     
  8. Beenst

    Beenst New Member

    I wish that I could help you right away, but I think that you have the right attitude to get things together. As Metro said in the first response, go out there, get under the price a bit and make sure that you let others know that you are here to stay.
     
  9. chris belding

    chris belding New Member

    Hi all, thanks for the replies. I managed to find a job in a joinery workshop, its not exactly what i want to be doing but I'm on the tools and gaining experience. hopefully i can keep doing side work and eventually go onto site next year or so self employed.
     
  10. metrokitchens

    metrokitchens Screwfix Select

    Well done and good luck.
     
  11. goldenboy

    goldenboy Super Member

    Congrats. Stick with the joiners shop for a few years, you will learn stuff in there and use machines that no average carpenter will learn or use. Best way to go out on your own is to get a proper workshop and do the manufacturing and the fitting. The world is full of guys who can hang doors, but not so many who can make and hang the door too. Just soak up all the learning you can.
     
  12. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    I agree with goldenballs, site work is what the muppets do, bench joinery is where you learn how to be a carpenter.
     
  13. joinerjohn1

    joinerjohn1 Screwfix Select


    Nah, bench joiners become "Joiners", Us site bashers are Carpenters. :p:p:p:p
     
  14. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    Says joiner john
     
  15. goldenboy

    goldenboy Super Member

    If you get blooded in a proper workshop rather than out on site you have the chance to take your career in loads of different direction from concentrating on machining, to finishing, setting out, veneering, cabinet making, cnc work or really specialising in one area such as stairs or windows. Its the route to getting a proper grounding. I was lucky and worked in three or four workshops for good lengths of time before I went out on my own. When I chat to my mates who started on site I realise how narrow their experience is and how many areas they have zero knowledge of.
     
  16. joinerjohn1

    joinerjohn1 Screwfix Select

    Sounds better than John Carpenter (unless your into horror films) :p:p:p:p:p:p
     
  17. metrokitchens

    metrokitchens Screwfix Select

    If you really get to learn and develop skills in woodworking you could, if the best of the best, become a respected and revered kitchen fitter.
     
  18. joinerjohn1

    joinerjohn1 Screwfix Select


    And if you ever have a serious brain injury, you can become a kitchen designer. :p:p:p:p:p
     
  19. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    Does that even exist?
     
  20. goldenboy

    goldenboy Super Member

    Why would you go to all that effort to hone those skills in woodworking and then not use any of them screwing premade boxes to walls;);)
     

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