From two-time apprentice to first-time fix champion, meet Matt Connal

Matt’s journey began in 2001, the same year he left school without GCSEs or a clear direction.

At just 16, he joined L&Q (formerly Trafford Housing Trust) as an apprentice joiner. Reflecting on how he chose his career, he says:

“I fell into joinery after leaving school at 16, not knowing what I wanted to do. All I knew was that I was more suited to hands-on work.

I went to a career guidance event where they assess your skills, and they recommended two choices: become a joiner or a mechanic. I went with joinery and started my apprenticeship straight away.”

Whilst circumstance played a role in Matt’s choice, his love for craftsmanship is deeply rooted in his upbringing.

Inspired by his father, a quantity surveyor who was always working on home improvement projects, Matt learned to appreciate the value of skilled work early on:

“My dad was a quantity surveyor. He was always doing stuff around the house. I’d watch him work and have a go at whatever he was doing.”

That practical curiosity has stayed with Matt ever since.

Over the years, he has not only honed his craft but also expanded his skill set, returning to college in 2019 to earn a qualification in plumbing.  

“I was encouraged to keep learning by my manager, so when the opportunity to do another apprenticeship came up, I thought – why not? It’s free and it will add another string to my bow.”

Matt’s dual apprenticeships have been the foundation of his expertise. They’ve given him the technical skills, hands-on experience, and confidence to tackle any challenge.

Whether he’s fixing a problem he’s never seen before or finding creative solutions to improve lives, his craftsmanship and adaptability are second to none:

“No two jobs are the same. Sometimes you find a problem you haven’t come across before. You figure out a solution, and then you know how to resolve the issue for next time.”

This versatility has also benefited his personal life. Matt proudly rebuilt his own house and added an extension, doing almost everything himself.

“Apart from the brickwork, I pretty much did all the labour by myself.”

One memorable example of his problem-solving skills involved a resident with arthritis who struggled to use her front door.

Matt went beyond the standard repair service and installed an intercom system with a pin code, allowing her to enter her home independently.

“Before we installed the intercom, she relied on her neighbours for help. Now, she can let herself in, and that means she can come and go as she pleases.”

It’s these personal interactions that Matt values most:

“The good thing about social housing is you get to meet such a vast mixture of people.”

Matt’s commitment to doing the job right has earned him glowing feedback from residents and a remarkable 95% first-time fix rate.

Over the last three months alone, he has completed 290 jobs, with only 14 requiring a follow-up.

During one standout month, every job he attended was resolved on the first visit.

In an era when tradespeople are often unfairly associated with missed deadlines and poor workmanship, Matt takes pride in his ability to help people and deliver results:

“If the resident is satisfied, I’m satisfied. When you see a happy resident at the end of the job, that keeps me happy all day.”

Matt’s success challenges the outdated narrative surrounding the trades, especially at a time when the UK faces its biggest skills shortage in a generation.

While many young people pursue careers in digital media, Matt believes the trades come with unmatched longevity:

“These days, so many people want to earn a living as influencers. You can make more money than we ever thought possible on social media.

But that money can dry up, along with the work. Trades guarantee a job for life, and that’s something you can’t put a price on.”

Beyond job security, the trades offer flexibility, quicker entry into the workforce, a faster educational track without the debt, and the potential to become your own boss.

Matt encourages others to consider this path, highlighting the balance it has brought to his life:

“The work to life balance is good and my time with my family is protected. My hours are 8am-4pm. I can leave my house at 7.40am, be at my first appointment for 8am and know that all my jobs are within a twenty-mile radius of my house. Job stress isn’t a problem, as you leave the work ‘at the office’.”

Matt’s journey from apprentice to seasoned professional has come full circle. Just as he once learned from his father, he’s now inspiring his own daughter.

“My daughter will break something and say, ‘Daddy, fix it.’ She watches me doing bits and pieces around the house like I used to watch my dad.”

By championing the value of skilled trades, Matt is helping to inspire the next generation to see these careers not as second-best, but as a first-rate choice for a fulfilling and secure future.