Ludgershall construction worker inspiring the next generation
Dean Carpenter is urging others to do the same
A construction worker from Ludgershall is calling for industry professionals to transfer their skills to the next generation by getting involved in further education.
Dean Carpenter has starred in a Sky Sports encouraging people to share their knowledge with teenagers and help prepare them for the world of work with fire hand experience.
He teaches Construction Skills and Bricklaying at Sparsholt College Group and described the opportunity to have an impact on young adults as 'fantastic' and 'important'.
He said: "It may be that you work with an apprentice on the shop floor and you're working with one individual all of a sudden now you've got influence and education and you're passing on a wealth of experience and knowledge on to 40 individuals."
It brings a fresh face into the education of young people, with current experience.
Preparing young people for the workplace
Dean told us he treats the 16-18 year old people he works with as adults - in a bid to prepare them for working with the different people in the workplace.
"For a lot of them it's the first time they have been treated as an adult," he said.
And that stretches to how the young people engage with teachers in a grown up way, whether things are going well or not.
"Some of them know what they want to be and they're fully engaged, which is fantastic. Some come in and aren't really sure. All we can ask is you come in and try your hardest - we'll engage with you, you engage with us.
"If you don't like something have a chat with us, like I say it's that adult conversation."
Bring your experience, says Dean
Dean said the chance to be part of Sky Sports' campaign was fantastic - but it's led to a lot of people coming up to him in the streets.
He said: "I didn't realise how mancunian I sounded until I heard myself on the TV," he said, adding: "I've shaved because I'm fed up of people coming up to me in the road, saying 'are you the bloke off the TV?'"
He's urging others to follow him into further education teaching saying: "Bring that experience."
Dean added: "It doesn't have to be full time. You don't have to down tools and come in and all of a sudden you're five days a week in front of 16 to 18 year olds. It can be done part time basis. It can be done as an ad hoc. We can work around you."