Harriet Hawdon - Newcastle based WDL Builders
Harriet recently won the carpentry category in the annual NCG skills competition competing against students from four other colleges.
What were your career ambitions growing up?
My career ambitions growing up were to become a vet. I love animals and wanted to make a career helping them. As I got older, I realised that I wanted a more tactile job. My dad started to take me to work with him when he worked on the weekends and that’s when I decided to have a career in the construction field.
Tell us about your current role?
Currently I am an apprentice joiner at WDL construction. I go to Newcastle College one day a week. I assist the other joiners to fit kitchens, doors, and lay flooring etc. A very wide variety of carpentry and joinery.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
The most challenging part of my job can be how physically demanding it can be at times. I am working on this however and it is getting easier for me.
What’s your biggest weakness and how have you managed this?
I would say that my biggest weakness could be my strength. I am planning on overcoming this through exercise and training.
What are you currently working on?
Currently we are renovating a house. It used to be two flats and we are reworking it into one house. We have removed walls and rebuilt walls in new places in the house to reimagine the space. We’ve currently just finished putting the floor and kitchen in.
Tell us about the WDL team?
The WDL team is a very close knit, extremely hard working yet fun group of people. From day 1 I have felt included, looked after, and valued. Speaking from past experiences, I can say that working with a group of people who are genuinely caring for each other and want to be a team makes all the difference. I feel that work is never a chore because of the great team that I work with and I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of them for that.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
The best piece of business advice I have ever been given was from the joiner that I work with. His name is Dean and he told me to be picky with myself because others will be. I take this now to produce the best possible work I possibly can.
Who are your heroes inside and outside of business?
My heroes in business would be my dad, his friend Kev, and my uncle Paul. They taught me all I know about joinery and gave me the drive to pursue a career in the field. My dad and uncle run their own businesses and they do so very successfully. In work, I work with Dean and Josh. Dean is a very talented joiner and Josh is the other apprentice who is going to be a fantastic joiner with a bright future. I take inspiration from all these 5 great tradesmen.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
In five years time, I’d love to be a full time joiner working for WDL still. I’ll be finished my apprenticeship and be improving my skills and confidence to hopefully be the best I can be at my job! WDL has a bright future that I’d love to be a part of for time to come.
How do you like to unwind outside of work?
Outside of work I like to unwind by spending time with my best friend Deb. We like to do escape rooms, and watch movies. Specifically, crime thriller movies. I love to listen to music with her and relax with the dogs.
Favourite Book and Boxset?
My favourite book would be Mythos by Stephen Fry. I got this book as a Christmas present and extremely enjoyed it. Greek mythology is definitely a hobby of mine to look into. I have recently found out there is another book he has written to go alongside this that I am looking forward to getting. I would say that I don’t have a specific boxset that is my favourite, but any crime documentaries I would watch.
wdlnortheast.co.uk