Plumbing

Sitting in an office has never really appealed to me. I used to work in construction, doing bricklaying and painting and decorating, but there came a time when I thought I needed a specific skill, and I chose plumbing.

I came to Lewisham College because it had a good reputation. I've found that the instructors are very approachable. You always feel like you can talk to them.

I come to College two days a week, and work with ABC gas and heating three days a week. The experience you get in the industry is very important.

After I finish my Level 2, I'll do my Level 3 which will encompass my gas qualification. It's also at supervisory level which will benefit me in the future, especially if I want to work abroad, which is what I hope to do later in life.

It's a high level qualification; it really is a good foundation. I'm hoping to go to Imperial College to study Civil Engineering after doing Level 3.

Lewisham College is a good place to come and learn, and better yourself. The tutors are excellent, the facilities are good.

When I left school I got a job as an apprentice with Waltham Forest Council: that's how I got into the construction trade.

After six months with the Council I moved to a private firm to finish my apprenticeship, and learnt about all aspects of the plumbing trade including drainage, roofing hot and cold water and heating. I've been involved with the trade ever since.

I've also worked as a safety officer, inspecting things like the building of the Channel Tunnel, and I've worked at Thames Water in Customer Relations, dealing with customer's problems face to face.

During that time, I did an Open University course in Science, initially as a hobby but when I got my degree I wanted to put it to use, so I did teacher training and became a primary school teacher.

Just as my contract ended at Brockley Primary school, a job at Lewisham College came up and I moved here. Teaching here's been a massive learning curve, but it's been interesting.

The plumbing department at Lewisham College is brilliant. All of the staff are highly skilled and know what they're doing. We know what people in the outside world are looking for; we've been there and got the tshirt.

The department provides a work environment; the students know they can easily go from here into the industry. We get good results.

The industry's changing all of the time; you've got to keep up-skilling. Plumbing's not recession proof, but toilets and boilers need to work 365 days a year.