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Jamie, A ‘Future Made’ apprentice success story.

Jamie, A ‘Future Made’ apprentice success story.

Jamie O’Hara, a 26-year-old Shopfitter / Project Manager from Tekne Shopfitting Limited recently participated in the CITB ‘Future Made’ Campaign as ‘Jamie The Shopfitter’.

Currently, approximately 130 people a day are viewing this campaign.

In 10 short years, Jamie has gone from Apprentice to award-winning Project Manager. His employers specialise in bespoke joinery, fitting out high end & bespoke hotels, bars and fine dining eateries, and all related projects in-between. Jamie has a fantastic working relationship with his team and especially enjoys drawing & developing plans with architects.

As he was approaching sixth form, he met up with a local builder with whom he had worked with occasionally during the half-term breaks.

He told Jamie all about Apprenticeships and how they work. He was encouraged to contact as many local firms as possible personally (by letter) with the hope of possibly kickstarting a career in Carpentry. Sadly, it was around this time that the recession hit, and hit our industry HARD.  Difficult times for Jamie… knockback after knockback, but then a letter from Tekne Shopfitting Limited dropped through his door.

Eight candidates were interviewed, and due to Jamie’s clear enthusiasm & determination, he was offered the one Apprenticeship on offer.

Out of the many proud moments in his 10-year career, he won the National Association of Shopfitters (CCATF Members) Apprentice of the Year. The well-deserved cash prize was spent wisely on completing an HNC in Construction Management.

So, what next for Jamie? He is currently studying for a degree in Construction Management one day a week as well as continuing to work onsite, and Tekne are backing him all the way!

This proud father of two certainly has come a long way in a short time, and it’s all thanks to the wonderful start he had in his Apprenticeship.

Jamie’s Boss, Marc Allen is a Director at Tekne (working towards becoming the Managing Director), and the current President of the National Association of Shopfitters.

Tekne have been Members of the NAS for over 30 years.
Marc’s interest in the industry began at the grand old age of four when he was passed a simple set of tools from his father, and then spent hours learning from the master craftsman himself.

He formally joined the industry at the age of 16 (as a fellow Apprentice), fresh out of school. 

Professionally there are a number of proud moments of note during his involvement within the Shopfitting arena; He holds the local record for the shortest time to complete a City & Guilds based NVQ 3 qualification, the National Association of Shopfitters Southern and National Apprentice Design Award winner and the youngest person to undertake timed trial event for membership into the Worshipful Company of Joiner & Ceilers. 

 

 

 

Download the 2024 Apprenticeship Vison document here

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