They say 'the world is your oyster,' and this statement couldn't be truer for school leavers choosing their future career paths.

From higher education to hands-on learning, pinning down your career path is no mean feat. Yet, for our Joinery Workshop apprentice Findlay Main, his career plan was always clean cut. 

After getting top marks in his woodwork studies in fourth year at Aboyne Academy, he knew a career in joinery was for him and “loved the idea of a workshop role”. It was only a matter of time before he spotted an advertisement looking for a new joinery apprentice to join the AJC team. Before he knew it, he was in the thick of workshop operations and learning the craft of joinery.

Now two years into his apprenticeship, we sat down with Findlay and Joinery Workshop Director Andy Stewart to delve into his joinery apprenticeship journey and the opportunities that await.

Cast your mind back to when you started your apprenticeship, what were those starting weeks like?

Findlay: “There was a lot to take in when I first started and a lot of my time was spent shadowing the team while they worked on different projects. As the week’s went on, I started to get small tasks to work on myself and that really helped me get to grips with things.

“Oh, and the 7.30am starts were definitely a shock to the system!” 

Andy: “When any apprentice starts, you can quickly figure out if someone isn’t interested. From day one, it was really clear to see that Findlay was very invested in a joinery career. 

“Findlay had already been working a lot of hours at the Co-op before he joined us and he kept on working evenings there when he started his apprenticeship. He had a great work ethic and I could tell that he wanted to work. Once he got his feet under the table, he decided to leave the Co-op to focus on his joinery career and that commitment was great to see from such a young age.”

You’re now two years into your apprenticeship, what are some projects you’ve been involved in?

Findlay: “The great thing about working in the Joinery Workshop is that there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with all the different jobs that are on the go. 

“Over the past two years, I’ve been involved in making specially designed gates for our Chapelton and Grandhome developments, along with shed doors for our project work over at Glenbuchat. I get the opportunity to manufacture lots of various joinery items for AJC’s construction projects, new home developments, as well as local contractors and private customer jobs.”

Andy: “Findlay has recently started making staircases on his own, and that’s really impressive for this stage in his apprenticeship. It’s quite the achievement for an apprentice to be making a straight staircase from start to finish. He’s making great progress and we’re keen to get him moving on to more complex stair layouts in the months to come.” 

What do you enjoy most in your role and what are some key learnings you’ve taken onboard?

Findlay: “I really enjoy using all the different machines and seeing how all the different materials and components come together to create the end result. 

“There’s so much to learn and remembering everything has probably been the most challenging part for me. Every machine is different and every process has its key steps, so it’s been a lot of trial and error but things soon settle in.”

Andy: “There’s definitely a lot of information to take in and it’s a continuous learning process for our apprentices when they start. The biggest thing for us is that they ask questions and show that keenness to learn.

“When our apprentices start, I pair them with another joiner to learn from. Doing that helps us consistently track and get feedback on the apprentice’s progress - and when it came to Findlay, his feedback was always really promising. I've noticed an unbelievable difference from when he started to where he is now and it’s all down to him asking questions and his eagerness to learn.”

A lot can happen in two years, what’s been a highlight of your apprenticeship so far? 

Findlay: “A big thing for me was the first time I was asked to work on a project by myself. Being trusted to take on a project from start to finish and put the skills I’ve learned into practice was a great feeling. Being trained throughout a whole process rather than one part of it makes me feel like I’m building a strong skill set.

“The atmosphere in the workshop is much better than other places I’ve worked too. There’s so many opportunities to get involved and develop your craft across different projects.”

Andy: “It’s really important for us that we train well-rounded joiners that are equipped with traditional skills. We’re seeing more and more companies becoming more reliant on computerised machinery but we believe we have a responsibility to equip our apprentices with hands-on skills to keep traditional joinery going. 

“Typically, apprentices may get put on a production line and are pigeon-holed as an assembler, finisher or machinist. We like to get our apprentices exposed to all areas of joinery so they have a good footing behind them. Findlay is now in his second year and he's doing the machining, assembling and finishing off - he's doing the whole procedure. I think that's what's lacking in apprenticeships nowadays and we want to avoid creating semi-skilled joiners.

“I’ve been with AJC for over 22 years and worked with around 10 apprentices in my time here, Findlay sits in the top three in terms of skill level and passion for the trade.”

Looking back on your apprenticeship, what would be your advice to future apprentices? 

Findlay: “I’d say for the first while, just take the time to watch the rest of the team at work and take the opportunity to shadow where you can. There’s such a wide range of skills within the team and shadowing really helps piece together how projects are assembled.

“I guess a big part of it as well is knowing that you can ask questions and that the team is always happy to help.” 

Andy: “An apprenticeship is a learning journey and every member of our workshop team is very much part of the process to help guide our apprentices. It can be daunting coming in as a young apprentice but it’s a really friendly team. They have a wealth of expertise and they’re all keen to share their knowledge down the line - that’s how we keep the tradition alive.”

To learn more about apprenticeships with AJC get in touch to talk to the team.