JSJ UK, Preston-based joinery installation and manufacturing business, has teamed up with Preston’s College to develop industry talent through Apprenticeships.
Former apprentice and company founder, Jack Smith, kick-started his career with a Level 3 Bench and Site Joiner Apprenticeship at Preston’s College whilst working for a local joinery, shop and bar fitting company.
Since attaining his qualification, Jack went self-employed in 2010 and after securing a number of notable contracts and recruiting additional staff, he expanded in launching JES Joinery Ltd T/A JSJ UK in 2014. The firm now employs 14 people and serves many well established companies in all aspects of interior and exterior construction work.
Thankful to his Apprenticeship at Preston’s College for his success, Jack is now committed to investing in and training those new to the industry. With one of the company’s apprentices finishing up his first year in the industry, JSJ UK are now on a lookout for a second candidate.
Jack said: “I believe in young people, I’m prepared to spend time and teach them the way because I’ve been there myself. I know that when I take on an apprentice, I’m investing in the future and creating an opportunity for learners to pick up skills and knowledge that will let them build a career in a way that suits them. It works both ways – if my colleagues show commitment to the business and the work we do here, I am happy to invest to excel their knowledge and skills.
“We have quite a young team with some experienced professionals to make sure people can learn from each other. However, my business model is to bring in young people and develop them into specialists in the field whether it’s through training courses or Apprenticeships. My motto is to train people well enough so they can leave but treat them well enough so they don’t want to.”
Kane Maddran, has worked for JSJ UK for more than two years now and was the first apprentice at the company. He said: “JSJ has offered me the opportunity to learn the joinery trade to a high standard and also given me a chance to progress my knowledge further in the construction industry which is what I am passionate about. I get a good balance of on-site experience at the company and learning from my NVQ college course at Preston’s College.
“I would recommend a joinery Apprenticeship to anyone interested in construction. It is a great opportunity and I am thankful to the company for allowing me to pursue the career path I had hoped to and to grow as a person.”
JSJ UK is currently on a look out for a bench joiner apprentice for its manufacturing workshop, specialising in bespoke interior commercial furniture and associated fittings.
Jack continues: “We’re looking for someone who is interested in the trade and would like to work in our workshop. We’re working with Preston’s College to fill this role, because as a former student I can vouch for its teaching quality. I also know that the recruitment team really understands what our business needs. Kane is a testament to the quality of candidates the College can provide and we hope to find someone similar again.”
Ann Beetham, business relationship manager at ROI solutions, the College’s specialist recruitment and training service, added: “We’re excited to have our former students return to us for recruitment which is a great compliment to the College as a training provider. Our team is dedicated to matching employers with the right candidates and having already settled one apprentice within the business, we know exactly what we’ll be looking for when recruiting for further roles during our partnership with JSJ UK.”
