Oliver Moberly - Carpentry and Joinery Lecturer
I first trained on a government scheme for the
unemployed in 1987, at the beginning of the last recession.
I then went into working in carpentry on site doing things like
house renovations. I later retrained to work with furniture, and
went self employed making furniture by commission.
After that, I went into joinery, which is a sort of halfway
house between carpentry and furniture making. I worked for a lot of
high end clients, making everything from big reception desks to
windows and doors.
I came to Lewisham College in 2006 after I went as far as I
could in my job without moving into management. Since coming into
teaching, I do miss making things, but I've no doubt that I've made
the right decision. Teaching itself is great; I get on really well
with the students.
I've got recent industry experience, and students respect that.
I can certainly pass a lot of useful knowledge on. My experience is
also wide ranging.
Lewisham College has got a good reputation for construction in
the South East London area. Some of our students go on to get
apprenticeships, others go out into work and some become self
employed.