Construction – Joel Wade

Joe Wade is a brilliant example of what you can achieve when you put your passion to practice.

Whilst he was a Woodwork Technician for Rotherham College, Joel Wade helped furniture craft students develop hands-on skills in construction workshops – the same workshops he studied in.

Joel said:

“I studied Furniture Craft Level 1 and 2 and then 2^nd year level 3 and first year Site Joinery; I also just completed my 2^nd year of Site Joinery.

The skills which I learnt on my course were very applicable for helping teach. I could identify similar mistakes students might make as to when I was in their shoes and so knew exactly how to best guide them in a way would best help their learning.”

I really enjoyed teaching students how to approach problems; if you only read a book it may not sink in and could even limit your approach to certain hands-on tasks. You can always find a different way of working and this is what I shared with the students.”

Speaking about his time studying at Rotherham College, Joel said: “I developed a great bond with my teachers – you get to know the staff and they’re so warm and welcoming.”

Discussing his passion for furniture craft, Joel remarked:

“It allows creative freedom. You can make anything out of wood; it’s a versatile material that produces anything from boxes to cupboards to roofs. It’s used in so much that woodworking skills are always in demand and relevant to employer needs.”

For anyone thinking about applying for a construction course, Joel’s advice is to “go for it – once you learn that initial skill, you can put your hand to developing a huge variety of materials and see the finished product and be like ‘wow, I made that’.

It’s very fulfilling.”