London South East Colleges student puts his carpentry skills to good use for DIY SOS

A Carpentry Level 2 Diploma student from London South East Colleges’ Holly Hill Construction Campus, has been putting his recently acquired practical skills to good use for an episode of BBC One’s DIY SOS: The Big Build.

Jamie Hamilton (19) from Welling and his older brother Charlie volunteered on the show to help make someone’s life a little easier, and their environment more convenient whilst confronting a debilitating illness. In the episode due to broadcast in 2020, they work towards renovating the house of a family whose child is coping with lung disease. The family need to provide living quarters for a live-in carer and add a downstairs wet room.

Jamie and Charlie spent two days on the build, alongside the show’s presenters Nick Knowles, Mark Millar, Chris Frediani, Julian Perryman, Billy Byrne and Gabrielle Blackman to build an extension on the house in Bromley. They helped knock down four chimney stacks and replaced eight support beams before a team of more than 50 other trade professionals moved in to complete a stunning interior makeover in just over a week.

Jamie, left school two and a half years ago and immediately enrolled for the course having spent much of his childhood making things from wood in his grandfather’s workshop. He says: “I’ve wanted to be a carpenter for as long as I can remember. I mastered the dovetail, mortice and tenon joints, and crafted lots of furniture and wooden structures long before arriving at the College. This gave me such a good grounding in the trade, but I have learned so much more since I came here.

“Taking part in this project and playing a role in the DIY SOS team makes me very proud indeed. The experience has been simply phenomenal. So much so, I’d love to apply and do it all again soon.”

Jamie would like to find a suitable apprenticeship programme once he has completed is level 2 qualification. Ideally, he would like to work in the construction trade building loft conversions, extensions and renovating old buildings.

Carpentry and joinery tutor, Matt Hills is very impressed with Jamie’s work ethic and initiative. He says: “When Jamie told me about volunteering for DIY SOS I wasn’t at all surprised. He is one of the most competent and enthusiastic students we have in the College. With an excellent attendance record and a superb attitude, I know he will go far in the industry. I can’t wait to see him on TV.”

If you are interested in a career in the construction industry, London South East Colleges has a great range of courses and apprenticeship opportunities to get you started. Come along to one of our open events. Click here to learn more.