► What did you study At School?  

At school I chose the practical subjects like resistant materials where I did woodwork, metalwork and graphics because I enjoyed them. My teachers and Connexions Personal Adviser helped me to choose the right options.

► What did you do when you left school?  

I applied to college to do a joinery course but changed my mind as I didn’t think college would suit me. I didn’t know what to do then so started to look for a job but couldn’t find any that I was able to apply for.  I saw my Connexions Adviser again to see what else was available.  I decided that I wanted to do a joinery apprenticeship but my GCSE results meant that I couldn’t start straight away.
I tried a couple of things such as e2e and a Princes Trust development course but they didn’t work out as I felt there was too much classroom work which didn’t suit me.  I also did a work trial for a job but didn’t get it.
I went to see Connexions again and we talked about what I wanted to do and the problems I’d had with my previous courses.  The Connexions Personal Adviser suggested I try a more practical e2e course where I could spend most of my time doing joinery and not in a classroom.  This course was great and I progressed really quickly achieving my level 1 joinery qualification.

► What happened next?  

I knew that I wanted to continue with joinery and progressed on to the level 2. This was a Programme Led Apprenticeship so I only got EMA payments not a wage, but I was able to take the qualification and have a work placement.

► What are you doing now?  

I have now been taken on by an employer and am working towards a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Joinery.  I was on a work placement with them and eventually they took me on as an employee.
Connexions helped me when I thought I had no more options. My Connexions Personal Adviser helped me to stay on track so that I could progress from the e2e programme onto an apprenticeship.  The advice that I would give someone who is just starting to plan for their future is to “think about what you really want to do with your life and stick to it”.