Building Trades - Case Studies

Richard Jones

Warrant Officer Class 2 Richard Jones left the Army in March after a 22-year career in the Infantry and then the Small Arms School Corps. Aged 40, he had seen operational service in Northern Ireland and Iraq and postings that had taken him all over the world. 'I count determination, endurance, personal discipline and a strong sense of duty as attributes the Army taught me and that have been very useful; as well as a no fail attitude, getting the job done whatever the cost.'

A Career Transition Workshop was followed by an Advanced Craft (Plastering) City and Guilds at The Plastering and Artexing Training School. 'The course was simply outstanding. The instructors were fantastic; they adjusted the content to exactly what I needed as the course progressed. The delivery was at a very high standard and in such depth that I was able to start trading as a self employed plasterer after only two weeks.'

Now self-employed, Jones 'advertised in local papers and yellow pages, and got in my van and went and found work.' His first job was plastering a living room. 'The customer was so impressed that I went back and did the bathroom and kitchen.' Seven months into his new career as a plasterer and tiler, he has worked on domestic and commercial construction contracts, from small patching jobs to four-bedroom extensions and large industrial units. I like being my own boss and running my own routine; and that the amount of money I earn is directly effected by the hours and effort I put in.'

Published January 08