Deanhouse Group are a bespoke joinery manufacturer and specialist interior fit-out contractor with over 15 years’ experience working in the hospitality and leisure sectors. Operating from their base in Honley, West Yorkshire, Deanhouse utilises the latest machinery and technology to produce high-end bespoke carpentry, joinery and turnkey fit-out services throughout the UK.
Discovering a Passion for Carpentry
We recently caught up with Laura Humphreys, an 18-year old apprentice at Deanhouse Group, and her mentor, Neil Addyman, Operations Director, to discuss her progress and future in carpentry and joinery. Laura has just completed her Level 2 in carpentry and joinery and is excited to begin Level 3.
“I became interested in carpentry and joinery at school,” Laura shared. “We studied woodwork, along with other hands-on, practical topics like tiling and wallpapering. I really enjoyed the
process of creating something and, at the end, finding it satisfying to look at something and think, I made that.”
Building Skills Through Level 2
During her Level 2 studies, Laura crafted a door frame, window, and staircase. These projects have been instrumental in developing her skills. However, Neil has pointed out, and echoed by Stephen Flynn from Rosebirch Fit-Out Solutions in an interview earlier this year (read the article here), that the courses available are generic and not specific to shopfitting. “Learning how to make joints and frames is great, but not 100% transferable to shopfitting,” Neil explained. “The course is a generic carpentry and joinery course – likely to attract the most delegates. There is not a specific shopfitting course available, which is problematic and does not do well in attracting new shopfitting talent into the sector.”
Embracing New Opportunities
Laura began her journey in college and quickly seized the opportunity to become an apprentice. Demonstrating tenacity and resilience, she moved from her original employer to Deanhouse Group, where she has been thriving for the past few months. Currently, Laura is primarily working on bench joinery, creating a golf club display. Operations Director, Neil, said “Deanhouse have always strove to bring apprentices through the business, I think it is important to pass our knowledge onto the next generation to ensure the industry can continue to thrive. We insist all our apprentices do the full course and achieve Level 3 Advanced Carpentry and Joinery to ensure they have the best academic training whilst learning on the job with us.”
The Importance of On-Site Experience
Neil firmly believes in the value of working on-site. “It is great to be able to work in an environment where everything is controlled. Working on-site is very different. We’ll will make sure that Laura (and other apprentices) will have this experience,” he stated.
Looking Ahead to Level 3
Looking forward to Level 3, Laura will be tackling the creation of a Gothic window and a curved staircase. We wish Laura all the best as she embarks on this new phase of her training. We will be catching up with her and documenting her progress in the next edition of Cutting Edge.
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Laura and Neil. We look forward to catching up with you for the next edition of Cutting Edge.