Carpentry students were rewarded for their hard work over the year during a presentation held at North Kent College on Wednesday 14th June.

Throughout the year, the students on the Level 2 course have to put together a miniature ‘house’, building stairs, cupboards, doorways and a roof to highlight their skills and demonstrate what they have learned at the College. Howdens Joinery, who have a depot located in Gravesend have kindly donated some of the materials used in this project.

Steve Hayes, Depot Manager of Howdens Joinery Gravesend, was pleased to attend the presentation saying, “It’s good for the local community and I hope that these students become our account holders in the future. It is lovely to see what comes from the bits we supply. It helps support the community and college, and I like to come and look at the result”.

Howdens had also kindly donated some new saws for the students to add to their kit, and David Gleed, Principal of North Kent College, presented these.

Kathryn Daniels, a student on the Site Carpentry Level 2 Course; when asked how she got into the trade, was happy to comment saying, “I was hunting for a new career after doing a short course in joinery, and I discovered there weren’t many courses like this around. North Kent College provided what I needed and I am incredibly grateful for what I’ve learnt.”

Andrew Martin, Carpentry Lecturer, commented, “I am extremely proud of all of our students this year and I am fully confident that they will all complete their NVQs over the coming weeks”.

Within the Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery course, 20 students have achieved the qualification needed to progress on to the diploma Level 2 course in September. On the Level 2 courses Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery, 11 students have achieved their qualification and the College are proud to announce that all but two of them have now gained apprenticeships to work within the trade.

Submitted by Sarah West