DCG Success Stories

Trainee carpenter Kai Kryger has made a brilliant start to his new life in England.

Kai, 18, moved to Wirksworth from Canada in the summer of 2021 and in September that year enrolled on the Foundation in Carpentry and Joinery level 1 course at Derby College Group.

Shortly after starting the course, he found himself part-time work experience with Water Lane Joinery in Wirksworth, specialists in hand-crafted woodwork and interiors. And, less than two months after that, he was taken on by the firm as an apprentice.

Kai is now six months into a two-year Level 3 Advanced Architectural Joinery Apprenticeship Standard and attends DCG on day release, after successfully completing his Level 2 with a distinction.

He said: “At first, I did jobs like  sweeping up and many hours of sanding for an oak panelled room. But quite quickly I was offered a joinery apprenticeship.

“I think I was hired because I already had quite a bit of practical experience. In Canada I helped my uncle build a house – and I’d made a chicken coop and bench set for a patio – stuff like that.”

Kai is assessed onsite but also enjoys coming into Derby College every Friday. As well as learning his trade, he has also had to retake maths and English to convert his Canadian qualifications to the UK standard required.

He added: “I enjoy college. The equipment’s good – the power tools  we use are a recognised quality brand. Everyone I’ve met there has been welcoming and friendly.

“I recommended one of the guys on the full-time level 2 course to my employer and he’s now working alongside me as an apprentice!

“Our  joinery teachers are fantastic. Ben, my teacher, is a good guy, and makes the course content interesting.

“I like that he comes from an industry background and can share with us his real world experience.”

Kai would quite like to be his own boss one day. He loves the variety his job provides – from making windows and doors to fitting bespoke bedroom furniture and working out on site.