Daniel Corkin is an established, self-employed heating and plumbing specialist who is now looking to grow his business. He registered for the Skills Bootcamp in Retrofit at Langley College to update his skills and services, with the goal of branching into renewable energy servicing and focusing less on traditional plumbing work. Daniel is ready to take his business to the next level and explore new opportunities in the industry with the help of Berkshire Skills Bootcamps.
What was your situation before joining the Skills Boot camp?
I was self-employed in the heating and plumbing Industry. I am in my fifties now and looking to upscale and get up-to-date. I wanted to potentially move into areas like renewable servicing, where there are less tools and plumbing involved.
What made you choose this Skills Bootcamp in particular?
Langley College is part of the Windsor Forest Colleges Group
I discovered the Skills Bootcamps via an online search. I recently moved to Twyford and Wokingham and I was interested in new technologies and the new local area.
What were the highlights?
The organisation has been great from turning up and parking your car to getting your badge and being navigated through the many doors and corridors, introduced to where you’re going etc and then just getting straight into some learning. The content is great. The updated knowledge that we’re receiving on these courses helps us to stay relevant and find new avenues of work.
Talking to other people in the industry is one of the best parts of it.
What specific skills did you gain that you found most valuable?
The updated knowledge has helped me to stay relevant in this industry. Part of the reason I started was that as I am in my fifties now so I’m looking to upscale and get up to date and potentially move into areas like renewable servicing. The Skills Bootcamp in Retrofit has given me that boost to reach out to new customers. When I show up at someone’s door, I can just say ‘Look, I’ve done this. I’m up to date.’ People want to know you’re keeping up with the industry.
How would you say your prospects have changed from this Skills Bootcamp?
It has just opened up new avenues of work, especially in the renewables area.
What would you say to someone who may be considering a Skills Bootcamp in Retrofit?
I say go for it. It’s a learning opportunity. It’s what we’re interested in and it’s well worth it. Especially come to Langley College, you know, the staff are great and I obviously had a great time learning here.
Skills Bootcamps are free*, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and an offer of an interview with an employer upon completion or generate new opportunities for you if you are self-employed.