News & Stories
Success stories
From busy motorways to the tranquillity of the countryside! David is now in another world, thanks to the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Training College.
After six years in the Army, and over twenty years as an HGV driver, at the age of 44 David was diagnosed with throat cancer. He had his HGV licence taken away because of his ill health, and his future was looking bleak. He underwent an intensive programme of treatment for over a year, with several months where he couldn’t eat or drink normally. He lost four stone, and at one point he was very seriously ill indeed. However, David was not to be defeated and he made a good recovery. He returned to work for Safeway, this time in their busy transport office, dealing with 180 drivers. He said “I’d worked for Safeway for over 10 years, and they really looked after me. After 14 months though, Morrisons took over, and, as were many others, I was made redundant.”
David didn’t know what he was going to do. He felt that his medical history would put off any new employer, and that he needed to retrain and go self-employed. He signed on at the Jobcentre and was put in touch with the Disability Employment Adviser who told him about the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Training College. He applied for the Carpentry and Joinery course and was offered a place to start at short notice. He said, “It was a bit stressful at first, being away from my family, but the journey was too long from Kent to travel daily, so I had to be residential. With regards to the training, I think you get out of it what you put in. Although the course was basic, after I’d got my City and Guilds qualification I did more advanced things that I thought would make me money like hanging doors, making roofing dormers, floor joists and skirtings. I got on well with the instructors, who were very knowledgeable. I had all I needed at the College. I liked the food and my room, and I enjoyed playing football and going to the gym.
David did a work placement with Spencer Fagg Contractors Ltd, which worked out well, and they offered him a permanent job. He’s been with them now since April 2007, and one of the houses he works on is in the rolling Kent countryside, where I went to visit him. Having completed lots of general refurbishment in the main house, he’s now helping to construct a new garage/studio, as pictured above. David has built the doors, windows and weather vane tower, and he’s installed the velux windows and the guttering. He’s now working on the inside of the building, as shown in the second picture. In summary, David said, “ The course was definitely worthwhile, but you have to be committed. I don’t know what I would have been doing now if I hadn’t heard about the College. It gave me a good opportunity, especially at my age.” (David is 48) “I feel quite confident now!”
