A career in joinery wasn't always part of Jason's plan.
Growing up in Bolton, Jason dreamed of the big leagues but one subject at school changed everything.
“I loved Design Technology,” Jason says. “Especially working with wood. I liked being able to create something from scratch and physically see the end result.”
This interest became a career path when he spotted an apprenticeship opportunity with Be One Homes in 2013, he says,
“When I got the apprenticeship, I was over the moon.”
Jason’s career journey has been built on learning new skills, helping customers and making a difference in the town he grew up in, and that’s why he works for Be One Homes.
Learning the trade
“My work is labour intensive, I’ve been doing this for around 13 years now, since I left school – I started off as a Joiner apprentice in 2013, I’d work three days on site in empty homes mainly and two at college. This took three years, and as part of my apprenticeship I studied carpentry and joinery at college.”
When asked what he enjoys most about joinery, his answer is simple:
“It’s like solving a problem that others can’t fix. Seeing tenants happy at the end of a job makes it all worthwhile.”
His apprenticeship gave him experiences far beyond the classroom and workshop. One of the biggest highlights was travelling to Romania with fellow apprentices to help build huts for people in a village without homes.
“I was only 18 at the time and it really opened my eyes to how other people live,” he says. “People were making do with what they had but were still really positive and high spirited. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Another memorable experience saw him take part in a boating competition, sailing with others from Scotland to Dublin.
The apprenticeship was 3-years long and after completing it, Jason spent two years working as a roofer’s labourer, keen to continue learning new trades and develop new skills.
“I love learning new skills.”
When a joiner role became available in 2018, he applied successfully and has worked as a joiner ever since.
Jason shares why he works here:
For Jason, one of the best things about working at Be One Homes is the sense of familiarity and support. He says,
“you get to know everyone and understand how things work, which makes the role easier.”
He also values the impact his work has on customers and saying,
“I enjoy talking to customers and changing perceptions. Sometimes people can be unhappy when you first arrive but leaving them happy with the end result is one of the best parts of the job.”
Born and raised in Bolton, Jason says working in the local area and helping local people is important to him.
“It’s rewarding knowing I’m making a difference in the town I grew up in.”
What's next for Jason
A few years ago, Jason was ready for a new challenge and completed an ILM Level 3 course. Through this he developed a broader understanding of the organisation, including why delays can happen and how different communication approaches can improve customer experience.
Jason remarks,
“Doing the course gave me a different perspective and helped me understand the bigger picture.”
Looking ahead, Jason wants to continue developing his career within Be One Homes. He’s interested in exploring opportunities such as shadowing an inspector or progressing into a supervisor role.
Jason’s advice for anyone thinking of working here:
“Definitely go for it, it’s a nice place to be and there are good options for progression with a wide range of training courses. You’ll gain good experiences and a family environment.”
