As hundreds of thousands of young people prepare to collect their A-level results today, many will be weighing up what comes next and hearing plenty of advice about the "right" path to take. It’s a feeling I know well. I followed the route everyone expected me to, but it ultimately led me somewhere completely different.
A career in tech had always been my dream, but the reality fell short. Moving into the trades turned out to be the best decision I never meant to make.
I’ve been on a L&Q’s carpentry and joinery apprenticeship scheme for just over a year now, and I’m loving it. What’s great about an apprenticeship is that the learning happens on real-world jobs.
It’s cliché but no two days are quite the same. Depending on my schedule, I might spend a day on one project in the same location or travelling around to tackle smaller jobs. It’s that variety which keeps you on your toes and constantly learning.
My time at college is split 50/50 between hands-on training and classroom-based theory. In the morning, we focus on practical skills, from mastering traditional wooden joints to learning the practical mechanics of fitting locks. In the afternoon, we cover everything from using power tools to understanding site health and safety protocols.
There’s something uniquely satisfying about building things from scratch and seeing the results of your hard work in front of you. One highlight was a home that had fallen into total disrepair. We had to completely gut the place and start afresh, fitting a brand-new kitchen and replacing all the doors. There aren’t many careers where you get to stand back and see such a dramatic transformation.
It’s a feeling made even sweeter knowing you’ve given a property a new lease of life, and a person a home they can be proud of.
My path to an apprenticeship was slightly unconventional. I studied maths and computer science at college and went straight into a software engineering role. The work was highly structured, with endless processes to follow, and after a while, I found myself itching to do something more hands-on. I wanted more autonomy over my work and a role where I didn’t have to stick to a formula.
Ironically, I was originally drawn to IT for the job security. For years, everyone was sold the dream that if you worked in tech, you were set for life. But between the massive shake-up from AI and constant rounds of corporate layoffs, the industry just isn’t what it was a decade ago. People who used to be spoiled for choice are now finding it hard to catch a break. I started worrying about my long-term prospects and decided it was time for a change.
I’d always been interested in carpentry, having done bits and bobs at home when I was younger.
When I saw the apprenticeship opportunity at L&Q, I figured, “Why not give it a shot?”. A few people thought I was mad to leave behind a solid job at a decent company, and years of software engineering training, only to start back at the bottom of the ladder. But making the jump has only confirmed I made the right choice.
Beyond the woodworking skills, it’s taught me how to think on my feet and react quickly when things don’t go to plan. Every job throws up unexpected challenges, and I love that carpentry forces you to problem-solve and figure out solutions on the spot.
My communication skills and confidence have also taken a massive step forward. Coming from a tech background, almost all my interactions used to take place behind a screen or over Teams calls.
Working frontline in the trades is a different ballgame. You’re out in the real world every day, talking to people face-to-face. Learning to build rapport with everyone from anxious residents to skilled tradespeople and other apprentices has been one of the best parts of the job.
It’s also opened up doors to give back and become a role model to the next generation. I’ve had the chance to speak at schools and careers fairs about trade pathways, which has been really rewarding. For a long time, society pushed the idea that university was the only respectable route to a good career, forcing a lot of practical learners into academic paths that just didn't suit them.
Fortunately, with more funding and awareness coming through from the government, things are starting to change.
Best of all, passing the scheme guarantees me a permanent job at L&Q. I want to keep expanding my skillset by gaining qualifications in plumbing and electrical work, and long-term, my goal is to move into management and leadership.
So, as students open their results today and start thinking about their future, my advice is to not let other people's expectations dictate your next step. Everyone will have an opinion, and most of it will be well-meaning, but the world of work is changing fast, and there is no single route to success.
Whether it's university, an apprenticeship or something else entirely, the best choice is the one that plays to your strengths and excites you about the future.