Seaham joiner nails college careers talk

A former East Durham College joinery student returned to the Peterlee campus to give current students an insight into his career in the industry.

By The Newsroom

Published 25th Jan 2016, 15:00 BST

From left, East Durham College lecturer Dominic Hunt, Gareth Frater and lecturer Joe Atherton.

Gareth Frater, 34, from Seaham, joined the college straight from school, studying on a joinery course between 1998 and 2001.

During his time at the college Gareth got the opportunity to take up an apprenticeship with Easington Action Team, this led to a full-time job where he spent the next 10 years.

But when Gareth was unfortunately made redundant in 2011, he decided to become self-employed and set up GF Joinery, which has gone from strength to strength. Gareth is working with the college to take on an apprentice of his own.

The businessman said: “It was great to have the opportunity to go back to East Durham College and pass on my knowledge and experiences of the trade to a new generation of joinery students.”

Seaham Peterlee