I made the brave decision to leave school aged 17- in joinery you learn so much and its rewarding
At just 17, George Robb from Didsbury made a bold decision
While his peers focused on A-levels and university plans, George took a different path—one driven by ambition, passion, and practical work. This revelation led him to leave sixth form in July 2024, and it was a decision that alarmed his parents but ignited his passion for joinery.
To mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week, George has talked about his path into joinery, and how it started with this big decision.
“They were going okay, but I didn’t have much interest in them. There wasn’t a career in those subjects that I was excited about. I’m not saying that university is a bad choice,” George explains. “It’s a great option for some people, like those that want to become dentists. But it’s not the only option available.”
Instead, George wanted to work with his hands, to build things, and to start earning his own money. His interest in practical, hands-on work began during his Construction GCSE and grew during a summer spent labouring at his family home.
“My dad’s friends were doing the extension, and they got me working with them over the summer,” he recalls. “I was labouring and picking things up as we went along. It gave me an idea of what working in the trades was like. My dad didn’t like me leaving college at the start. My mum didn’t believe I’d actually do it. Now, they’re glad I took the risk,” George says with a smile.
Despite his enthusiasm, finding an apprenticeship wasn’t easy. With no family background in the trades, George had to forge his own path. After researching opportunities online, he found a vacancy at L&Q for an apprentice joiner. Though he initially faced rejection, his persistence landed him a face-to-face interview – and the rest is history.
For George, his apprenticeship has been about more than just mastering tools and techniques—it’s been a transformative learning experience. Working alongside experienced joiners, he’s been able to watch, absorb, and practise under their expert guidance.
“They’ve all been patient and good at teaching. I look up to them. One of them, Martin, has worked all over the country on different projects and sites. It’s inspiring to learn from someone like that.”
Over time, George has developed an impressive skillset, from creating complex joints like dovetails to handling real-world challenges such as lock changes and window repairs.
“Joinery is universal, you learn so much – how to change locks, fix windows, fit doors and even things outside of what joiners typically do. It’s a skillset you can take anywhere.”
George’s apprenticeship is laying the groundwork for his dreams. He and two close friends, who’ve also pursued apprenticeships in complementary fields, plan to go into business together one day.
“We all wanted to do something for ourselves, to make something of ourselves,” he says. “I want to buy homes, do them up, and sell them. The trades are perfect for that. You get skills and networks—and you always have something to fall back on. It’s rewarding when a project is finished, and you can step back and think I did that.
“It’s not always going to work or go your way,” he says. “You have to try things and fail to get better. Learning from a fully qualified joiner makes all the difference—they can show you the way. Never be afraid to ask questions, and don’t be disheartened by mistakes—there’s no better way to learn.”
Beyond mending things or putting up the odd shelf, George is now well-equipped to maintain and improve his own home.
“As a tradesperson, if you need to do something in your house, you can be the one to do the work. It’s rewarding to know that you can rely on yourself. It wasn’t enough to go to university just for the fun experience. I wanted to get a head-start on my future and avoid the debt.”