Employer: Self-employed
Course: Skills Bootcamp in Property Maintenance
Maria, a self-employed careers advisor, found herself searching for a way to develop practical skills that would allow her to tackle wear and tear around her home. Despite a long and successful career in advising others, Maria had a growing desire to gain hands-on experience in property maintenance. She found the perfect opportunity when she came across the Skills Bootcamp in Property Maintenance on the Truro and Penwith College website.
For Maria, learning these new skills wasn’t just about saving money on household repairs, it was about building her confidence in areas she had previously left to professionals. “I wanted to be able to fix things myself and have the know-how to handle the odd job around the house,” she explained. “At my age, I thought it was the right time to get practical.”
However, Maria’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. The physical nature of the work took her by surprise, especially when handling heavier tools or materials. Initially, using drills and other equipment felt like a daunting task. But Maria was determined not to let these difficulties get in the way of her progress.
“Some of the work was tough physically,” Maria admitted, “but I realised it’s not about strength, it’s about using the right techniques and learning how to handle the tools properly.” Through trial and error, she improved her skills and found that persistence was key. Despite making a few mistakes along the way, Maria pushed through, learning valuable lessons each week.
Steve, the tutor, played a significant role in helping her overcome these obstacles. “Steve guided me through each step, making sure I understood the techniques rather than just relying on brute strength,” Maria said. “He was excellent and incredibly patient, a wonderful teacher!”
One of the highlights of the Skills Bootcamp for Maria was learning how to use a drill confidently. “That was a game-changer,” she said. From mastering the basics like countersinking nails, to more advanced tasks like building a frame for a room, attaching doors, hinges and locks, and even bricklaying, Maria felt a real sense of achievement with each new skill she acquired. Skimming walls for plastering and installing plasterboard were among the more intricate tasks she enjoyed.
Having completed the course, Maria feels much more confident in her ability to handle various maintenance jobs around her home. “I’m so much more capable now,” she said. “I can take on jobs I never would have attempted before.” Beyond her own home, she’s excited to pass on what she’s learned to her family, empowering them to tackle their own DIY projects.
Reflecting on the course, Maria noted, “The experience gave me so much more than I expected. It wasn’t just about fixing things; it was about understanding the process behind them. It’s incredible how learning the right terminology and techniques can completely change how you approach a problem.”
Although Maria initially joined the Bootcamp to improve her home maintenance skills, she’s now open to the idea of taking on small jobs for others. If the right opportunity arises, she may even consider working as a ‘handy person’ for basic household repairs in her community.
Maria is keen to encourage others to follow in her footsteps. “If you’re thinking about improving your property maintenance skills, just have a go! The Skills Bootcamp is a great way to learn the basics and can even open doors to new career pathways,” she advised.
The Skills Bootcamp in Property Maintenance is an 11-week course that covers essential maintenance topics and prepares learners for careers in construction, offering CITB Health and Safety certification and support for obtaining a CSCS card.
To find out more about the Skills Bootcamps visit our Skills Bootcamps on Eventbrite
