Have your say 2026

LinkedIn rant shares frustration at lack of joinery apprenticeships

LinkedIn rant shares frustration at lack of joinery apprenticeships

Jeanette Ashmole, TV Consultant and Screenwriter, shares her frustration on LinkedIn, which she has agreed for Modern Joinery News to use, with the joinery sector after her 17-year-old struggled to secure an apprenticeship.

Have your say 2026

“Well I must say that I’ve been disgusted in the lack of opportunities for young people in Derby.

“My 17-year-old, an army cadet for five and a half years, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, First Aid Certs, a professional Army mentoring/teaching certificate and an NVQ in Public Services can’t get an apprenticeship anywhere.

“There has only been two – that’s two apprentice joiners advertised in the whole of Derbyshire this year. He didn’t get either.

“And to top it off, my hard-working daughter who has also been an army cadet for five years, with that same experience plus voluntary experience at a school in Kenya and an international army camp in Gibraltar is struggling now she’s a qualified level two teaching assistant to get a job!

“Told today she doesn’t have enough experience! What a joke! And they wonder why young people are sat at home on their arses!

“If anybody can help please let me know – I’ve brought my kids up to work hard and that’s what they want to do! Rant over!”

Have you or someone you know had similar problems finding an apprenticeship? Or if there are any local joinery companies in the Derbyshire area with an apprenticeship available, please get in touch.

More news

Hodgson Sealants Ltd Jonathan Orman 2026

Hodgson Sealants’ Jonathan Orman takes on Yorkshire Marathon

Hodgson Sealants’ Technical Manager, Jonathan Orman, is preparing to take on the Altra Yorkshire Marathon next month to help raise money for seriously ill children across the UK. Jonathan, who is based at the sealant manufacturer’s Heckmondwike site, will run the marathon in York on 18 October in support of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity.… Continue reading Hodgson Sealants’ Jonathan Orman takes on Yorkshire Marathon
Sarah Ball DIIC 2026

WFN’s Sarah Ball to speak at Diversity and Inclusion Conference

Sarah Ball, Founder of the Women in Fenestration Network (WFN), is set to take to the stage at the Diversity and Inclusion in Construction (DIIC) 2026 Conference, taking place at the Amex Stadium on 22 October. The event brings together professionals from across the construction industry to discuss diversity, inclusion and the opportunities available to… Continue reading WFN’s Sarah Ball to speak at Diversity and Inclusion Conference
PiGs Newcastle 2026

PiGs lauds in success of Newcastle event

PiGs AKA People in Glazing Society brought another fantastic night of networking to Newcastle, with around 130 people attending its latest event, making it another record attendance for the PiGs in 2026. The Newcastle event was a brilliant reflection of what PiGs is all about: bringing people from across the glazing and fenestration industry together,… Continue reading PiGs lauds in success of Newcastle event