Phillip puts himself in the frame for student award
A STUDENT at Accrington and Rossendale College has been highly commended for his carpentry.
Phillip Bentley, from Rishton, Hyndburn, Lancashire, won the accolade in the Institute of Carpenters’ (IoC) third year student awards.
He showcased his skills by building a gothic styled wooden window frame and after putting in hours of painstaking work was thrilled with the outcome.
“I’m very happy to have won the award.
“I have never taken part in a competition before so to receive highly commended accolade is an amazing feeling,” he said.
Phillip, 20, who is completing a Level 3
Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship while working at H&S Joinery in Blackburn says that being a practical hands on person helped him win the award.
He said: “I really enjoy Carpentry and Joinery and I wouldn’t want to do anything else.
“I’m a bit of a perfectionist and have an eye for detail too, and I think that has definitely paid off for me in this competition.
“My apprenticeship has really helped to improve my skillset and my confidence, and working with a range of equipment and tools on a day to day basis for my employer is further developing my abilities.”
For winning the commendation Phillip received a certificate from the IoC as well as a voucher to put towards Axminster tools and credits his tutors and the facilities at the college for helping him win the award.
Chris Morris, Phillip’s tutor, said: “”I’m very pleased for Phillip - he is so deserving of this award for the dedication he has shown to his craft.
“Apprentices like Phillip are the reason I love my job - he is a brilliant listener and a quicker learner, and it has been fantastic to see how his skills and self-belief have grown over his years at college.
“The window frame he submitted was a very high-quality piece of woodwork and he should be extremely proud of what he has achieved.”
IoC board member Martin Corton, who was part of the judging panel, said: “Phillip displayed great craft ability, thorough technical knowledge, and exceptional attitude.
“Carpentry and joinery is a ‘calling’, and I’m sure Phillip has a wonderful future ahead of him in the trade.”