Leading by example

Buildbase managing director Stephen Thompstone, who has seen two of his staff win the TTJ Career Development Award, began his career on the trade counter at a builders merchant after A-levels. "I'd always had an interest in building, and it was a local opportunity. It was an ideal learning ground and I soon developed a specialist knowledge of bricks and timber products," he said.

A-levels in woodwork and engineering, and wood-turning as a hobby, saw Clive Durose, managing director of Clive Durose Woodturners, begin his rapid ascent. "I started wood-turning aged 18 and decided to go self-employed aged 19," he said. "I employed my first staff member very soon afterwards and we continued to grow, forming a limited company in 1988. I'm now responsible for 27 employees manufacturing high quality timber stair parts." Two years ago, Mr Durose entered under-25 category winner Kenny Macfarlane for the Career Development Award.

A different route was taken by Neil Smith, managing director of Holbrook Timber Frame, one of whose protégées, Ian Wharton, won the under-25 Career Development Award in 2008. "My father and brother were already in construction when I was made redundant from the mines in 1988, so we decided to team up together and form our own company, doing everything ourselves," he said. "When modern methods of construction came along we tried timber frame but couldn't get the service we wanted from the wood industry, so we set up our own timber frame company in 2003."

Mr Thompstone's employers put him forward for a range of training. "I was, and still am, very keen to learn. I made traditional progress up the merchant career ladder eventually joining Buildbase, where I'm now managing director, 14 years ago."

Mr Durose was largely self-taught at the outset but has since taken numerous courses, including an MBA. "I didn't give up easily," he said. "If a problem presented itself I'd find a way to solve it. I welcome a challenge and still take on projects that have a long-term benefit for me and the business."

Mr Smith's experiences are similar. "I'm largely self-taught through sheer hard work and learning from my mistakes," he said. "I've latterly done a lot of training through TRADA on best practice in timber frame."

What does each look for in an up-and-coming young recruit? "It comes down to three words: enthusiasm, application and engagement," said Mr Smith. "We've recently taken on two new young recruits to follow our Career Development Award winner Ian Wharton, as he moves up through the business."

Motivation is also key in the joinery sector, said Mr Durose. "Young people have to be genuinely interested in the job and have an ability to deliver what's required of them time and time again. They need self-motivation, a clear desire to improve their skills, diligence in their work, and a respect for the business."

Working in a different timber-related sector, Mr Thompstone said communications skills are key for him. "It's about personality and people skills," he said. "Merchanting is primarily a 'people' business: it's essential to get on with colleagues and with customers at the trade counter. People involved in team sport often make good managers - they're team players in every sense."

What contribution does training make to the success of a business? "People are the front line of any business," said Mr Thompstone. "At Buildbase we make sure they get the opportunities they need to train and develop."

Mr Durose adds: "A company can only sustain its performance by continually developing its team. Though I sometimes recruit for specific skills, wherever possible I develop existing staff."

Mr Smith too accords with the ethos behind the TTJ Career Development Award: "We invest the time and effort to train our people - it benefits our business to do so."