Stockport apprentice takes joinery skills to Uganda
An 18-year-old joiner from Stockport has returned from Uganda after spending 10 days carrying out construction work and teaching joinery skills to young people at a children’s charity in Kampala.
Joel Hulley, from Cheadle Hulme, travelled to Uganda through Watoto, a Ugandan organisation supporting children from newborns to 16 years old with accommodation, education and family support.
The trip came during Joel’s apprenticeship with Stockport-based Hende Building Services Ltd, a member of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
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He has since completed his joinery qualification after 18 months on the apprenticeship.
Joiner takes 50kg of tools to Uganda
Joel travelled with 50kg of hand tools and fixings, with equipment donated by builders’ merchant Howdens, local ironmongers Cooksons and Hende Building Services.
His employer also provided workwear for the charity’s maintenance team.
While in Uganda, Joel spent much of his time carrying out welding work, while also delivering joinery classes to teenagers at the charity.
Joel said: “A lot of the lads there were really happy to see it, because their teachers were all older men. Then they finally have a lad close to their age come in and teach them the same things. I think it really helped a few of the younger ones out.”
He added: “It was a really nice feeling to show lads younger than me what they might be able to do in the future — and that they can get to the positions I’ve been in.”
Apprenticeship provides route into construction
Joel said nobody in his family worked in the building trade and that his grandparents initially tried to discourage him from pursuing a career in construction.
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He said: “My grandparents were quite against me doing it. My parents told them it’s his life, let him do it. Now I’ve qualified, been to Africa with it and shown them everything I’ve built, they’re really happy about it.”
Joel also highlighted the role of apprenticeships as an alternative route into the construction industry for young people considering further education.
He said: “I thought it would be worth me spending time doing something I actually like, rather than getting a grade and not being able to get a job. I can do a college course and get paid while I learn, and it will set me up for the rest of my life.”
Hende Building Services director Ian Henderson helped source the donated tools and paid for Joel’s trip as holiday, rather than the unpaid leave he had originally arranged.
The company is also sponsoring Joel through his Level 3 advanced craft qualification at Macclesfield College.
Henderson said: “We’ve had a few apprentices over the years, and some good ones but he is the pick of the bunch. He’s punctual, he’s organised, his tools are clean and tidy.
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“He’s looked like a joiner from day one: tape on his belt, pencil behind his ear. What resonated with me is that when I was an apprentice I never got any help. I had a day’s pay knocked off and I paid my own fees. I was determined that this company would help him.”
He added: “Taking a young person on is probably one of the most responsible things you can do as an employer, and the satisfaction of watching them develop is amazing. The majority of our workforce is now over 50. Every builder out there has to give young people a chance.”
FMB highlights role of smaller construction firms
The FMB said smaller construction businesses can provide apprentices with practical training and wider support as they develop their careers.
Carolyn Frank North, Director at the FMB, said: “Our members, professional builders, are a great inspiration to the next generation, and invest so much into the future talent of the industry by sharing their skills, mentoring and support to young people entering the world of work.
“Smaller firms can give all round support to their apprentices as well as teaching them the technical skills they need, and are the best place to learn a trade.
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“Ian, and now Joel too, are both shining examples of the highly professional and reputable builders who we champion at the Federation of Master Builders and we are proud to congratulate Joel on his achievements.
Ian Henderson intends to enter Joel for the FMB Master Builder Awards in 2027.
