How was Bricking It for you?
A great sense of achievement helping young people make changes to their lives.
What was the best thing about Bricking It?
I most enjoyed the challenge of taking on 10 trainees who have never been on a building site and helping them along. The first week with them was mentally exhausting – they was so much to teach them and they asked so many questions.
And the worst thing?
I really missed not being on site and seeing the trainees transformation day to day. After the first 3 / 4 weeks I came back onto site for two shorter blocks of time. I think when you've been through something as intense as the beginning of a project, it's only natural to want to see it through.
Can anyone make it in the construction industry, or does it take a certain type of person?
I think that the construction industry has a lot to offer a wide range of people. There's people with natural ability like Greg Males who it works for, and, also, there are roles for people like Hannah who have come along a more academic route. The key is having the determination to get the job done, and apply yourself.
What did Bricking It tell you about young people today?
It showed me that young people expect a lot of money straight away without putting in the effort or commitment. When the trainees started on site they had no idea about the amount of commitment and hard work they were going to have to put in.
What was your high point?
The high point was knowing that 6 of them came out with a job at the
end of it. I would have liked to see 10 of them do that, but it was
never going to be the case. A number of them called me individually
to say they'd got offered apprenticeships and I felt very proud of
them and pleased to have helped them move on in life and get on.
And your low point?
The low points were when trainees left. Although I appreciate the
reasons why they had to go, it was difficult to see people throw away
such a good opportunity. There were so many people who desperately
wanted to be on the project, and for some of them not to make sure
they stayed on it by keeping to all the rules was a real shame.
