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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

Looking Back Interview

How was Bricking It for you?
Job satisfaction: actually realising that the career I have chosen has enabled me to be involved with a project that will raise the profile of the construction industry and assist many more young people to find a fulfilling career in the building trade. I am proud to be a part of Bricking It.

An insight into the world of television – not something every carpenter will get to experience.

New friends and contacts – the networking was great and I hope that I will keep in touch with the youngsters and mentors alike.

What was the best thing about Bricking It?
I enjoyed the fact that the cameras were not invasive or disruptive. I enjoyed assisting Dr Phil as his foreman and taking instructions from him on a daily basis. I feel that I have been able to learn certain things from the Dr that I will be able to use in my every day work. I really enjoyed teaching the youngsters and seeing the satisfaction that they showed when they produced their own work – for me this is very enjoyable.

I also enjoyed taking the youngsters for an exam at Woolwich College.

And the worst thing?
On the whole the project was only enjoyable. There were some times when tempers were pushed and things got a little heated, but this is not unlike any other environment where you have so many people falling over one another and getting in each others way.

And the drive to work around the M25.

Can anyone make it in the construction industry, or does it take a certain type of person?
I think that anyone can make it in the construction industry – it is a vast place – whether they make it as a tea boy or the boss of a big construction company it is up to the individual. The opportunities are fantastic and the rewards are great. The kind of people that get on best are generally very good communicators with a natural ability to visualise and explain something to someone before it is built. Then build it on time and on budget and manage the expectations of the customer.

Big tip: qualifications and good training are very important.

What did Bricking It tell you about young people today?
The project told me that young people seem to be getting it quite easy and, in some cases, they can go through life abusing the system and saying "so what". I also think that they are very reliant on technology and sometimes find it hard to create something in a slow fashion using traditional methods. Their concentration seems to be pretty short – maybe the school curriculum needs to go back to more practical skills such as woodwork and metalwork instead of all this IT stuff.

What was your high point?
The high points were seeing the youngsters achieve their goals, and working with some great people, from the TV crew to the mentors and the Berkeley staff.

And your low point?
The low points were the odd disagreement – mainly with Greg Males. However, we always worked through the issues like adults should and no blood was spilled!

And finally…
Let's do it again!

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