John Lamb (31) from Tranent is on the Modern Apprenticeship programme at Forth Valley College and works as a joiner with Historic Environment Scotland.
He said: “Historic Environment Scotland look after the maintenance of historic buildings and my role as a joiner is to ensure that all joinery work required is done to the highest standards.
“I wanted to change career and pick the thing I have wanted to do since I was 18 or 19 years of age – joinery. I had some family members who were involved in that trade and an opportunity arose for me to become an Apprentice and I accepted. I am definitely enjoying it, but I regret not doing it sooner. The facilities are good and the lecturers have a lot of patience and even though the three of us are a wee bit older, we are fitting in well with the 16 and 17 year-olds, who show us some respect at what we have done.
“As far as the Modern Apprenticeship programme at Forth Valley College goes, I was nervous at first, but after a couple of weeks I have found it to be great. It has helped me progress in my career great so far as it’s given me the knowledge to take back to work and perform the tasks required.
“The facilities here at the Forth Valley College Stirling Campus are great and the lecturers are brilliant. I would definitely recommend the programme because it’s a great thing to get involved in and always great to get any trade under your belt. If you don’t do that you’ll regret it in the long run. I would recommend it to anyone.
“The best bit for me so far has been getting into the workshop and getting stuck into building projects. My advice to a potential new MA student would be to take it all in, be confident and take each day as it comes.”