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The Experts

Robin Clevett, 34, Carpenter and Joiner

Robin gained his apprenticeship at the CITB, (the biggest training board in the UK) which he completed over three years. Today he runs his own company which he set up 18 years ago. He now lives in a house he renovated himself.

Interview | Looking Back

Career History

When he was growing up Robin's parents were quite poor and he often went without a lot. He always lived like that and didn't really expect much more. Robin wasn't very academic and says that he "hardly went to school at all".

It wasn't until he got on an apprenticeship at the CITB, (which is the biggest training board in the UK) that he realised what an opportunity he had. Robin completed his apprenticeship over three years and then stayed on at the company for six months. The recession kicked in which meant Robin went out alone and set his own company up. And he has been working for himself ever since - for 18 years. He now lives in a house he renovated himself.

Bricking It Interview

Why did you want to be a Carpenter?
I always enjoyed making things as a child, and working outdoors and with my hands always appealed to me.

What's the best job you've ever worked on?
There have been so many great jobs that I've worked on - some for financial reasons - but most for the job satisfaction levels that go with such a great craft such as this.

If I had to single a job out it would be the Chapel that I converted to my home last year. I was able to create exactly what we wanted, and actually living in something that you have created is a fantastic feeling.

What's your job like?
I specialise in traditional timber roof construction. I have to create some very complex timber structures that form all shapes and types of roofs - this is an area of Carpentry and Joinery that not many people go into.

I also build and renovate properties for many private clients and also myself. My work ranges from finding and funding to the really good bit, which is actually doing the project and getting my hands dirty co-ordinating all the subcontractors and materials whilst liaising with architects and designers.

What are your hours / wages like?
The hours will be from 7.30am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday with weekend work always likely.

The wages vary depending on the job in hand a good basic tradesman will earn from £100 per day.

But set yourself up with all the correct tools and transport and work as a self employed carpenter on price work and you can easily earn £300- £500 per day.

What qualifications do you have?
I have poor GCSE qualifications as I was not at school much as a child (to busy working!). But I found my feet at college and I achieved the City and Guilds Craft Certificate in Carpentry and Joinery passing with a Credit for my written work, a Credit for my course work assessments and, best of all, a distinction for all my practical work.

I've also passed the Institute of Carpenters exam with a credit this allows me the letters IOC after my name.

What's your advice to would-be apprentices?
In my time, I have overseen 7 apprentices - and they have all had different levels of commitment. Some have really embraced the trade and others have slacked. On the other hand, I have worked with complete angels who have been a joy to work with! The one thing that is important to me is to make people feel part of the team - my trainees are not working for me but working WITH me.

My advice to any other people wanting to be apprentices would be:

try to find a good company to gain work experience with
be prepared to give your time for free in return for training
be punctual and keen
try to read up on the trade or job that you are doing

and, finally, be prepared that it will not always be enjoyable being the boy and you will spend some time making tea and sweeping up, these are all important jobs that you will learn first.

And finally...
Enjoy the work and try hard. There's many sayings in the trade that will help when you start and here's one that my father in law used to say to me when I was an apprentice "eyes and ears open, mouth shut" which basically means watch, listen and learn. And don't answer back or be cocky.

For more information on Robin check out www.robc.co.uk. Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third party websites.

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