Appreciating apprentices

We hear about Paige Kavanagh of Corbel Conservation, who has been shortlisted for the Apprentice of the Year Award at the upcoming BWF Awards.

When Paige Kavanagh approached Corbel for training, she had very little experience, just a few images of personal projects she had undertaken using recycled offcuts. However, that coupled with a clear passion to enter the industry, made for an easy decision, and one Corbel has definitely not regretted.

Straight away it was clear Paige possessed an excellent eye for detail, the necessary passion and keen interest to a surprising level. These skills were obvious when undertaking some complex repairs to a medieval roof structure. The repairs retained the maximum old fabric and were some of the most beautiful scarfe repairs you’ll see. Paige carefully considered, templated and executed the repairs, with simply no straight lines in any direction. Quite a challenge! The quality achieved was of the highest order, all by someone with only a few months experience. This theme has continued throughout Paige’s apprenticeship, each task executed to excellent standards.

She graduated to owning complete projects, such as a set of completely rotten windows, taken forward to an excellent functional and aesthetic state.

Although there’s no issue she faces at Corbel, it’s an uphill challenge to enter a predominantly male environment. Paige manages that situation admirably, letting her skills speak for themselves. It isn’t encouraged for women to become carpenters at school and there are prejudices and old school people as clients and in the industry, who feel a woman cant be as good. That seriously needs to be overcome.

There is such a skill shortage in the industry and women need to be encouraged and know they will be welcomed within the workforce. Paige is a fine example to other women and let’s hope others will be encouraged into construction.

She excels in the broadest sense, standing out in improvement, knowledge, attention to detail. She achieved  distinction in her carpentry NVQ3, has lead toolbox talks, has site supervisor qualifications and is our mental health first aider. Paige’s skills have been demonstrated on several award-winning projects. From church roofs to heritage factory buildings,  involving challenging  joinery and decorative timber repairs. Her outstanding work, pleasant demeanour and thoroughness has been recognised by architects.

The BWF Awards 2024 will take place at Langham, London Hotel on Friday 22 November 2024.

Architectural Construction Somerset | Conservation Architects | Corbel

The BWF – British Woodworking Federation | The Voice of Woodworking