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Case studies

Finding a Work Placement – Carpentry

Added: 19 December 2007. Last updated: 25 April 2008.

Laetitia Goebel – carpenter

Laetitia first came to carpentry through a slightly different route : “I started with Film Studies at University, and really liked it when we did a bit of set-building“. She then “got quite excited about learning a manual trade, so I went to college to do an Advanced Construction Award in Carpentry and Joinery“. So what made her decide to make the move into the construction industry? : “Power tools!“.

She heard about the Building Work For Women project through WAMTs regular e-update. Once enrolled, she attended pre-placement training in interview techniques, along with a first aid ‘appointed person’ course. She says : “The mock interviews were good for confidence building and it was fun and interesting to meet other tradeswomen“.

She was also given tools and Personal Protective Equipment as part of the project. Laetitia chose an Orbital sander and router with bits, along with respiratory protective equipment, “and lots of fancy knee pads!“

Laetitia then started a placement with a self employed carpenter who has a wood workshop, and does lots of fittings around houses. Within a few days of starting the placement, Laetitia had learned the art of putting up floating shelves.

In the future, Laetitia says she would like to build her own eco-house.