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National Tradesmen Day encourages a new generation of skilled men and women

IRWIN TOOLS toasts London actress turned joiner as second finalist

IRWIN TOOLS announces April’s finalist for this year’s National Tradesmen Day competition. Wendy Heller from London grabbed the attention of the expert judging panel, after she was nominated by her colleague Katie Letchfield for being an inspiration to her students and the local community.

Wendy is the Training, Development and Curriculum Manager at the Construction Youth Trust in Bermondsey and teaches a variety of construction skills to young people aged 16-30 years. Her colourful career in Joinery has taken her all over the world and far from the average building site, whether it be high-end ‘Brownstone’ renovation in New York City, set construction for pop promotions at MTV Europe or scenic construction in the UK for films and TV programmes such as ‘Grange Hill’ and ‘Hollyoaks’.

Wendy Heller from London commented; “It’s wonderful to be nominated for the National Tradesmen Day competition. I am very proud of the work I do, a sense of which I try to instill in my students. Skills within the industry should be considered a craft. It’s so important to raise the aspirations of our young people, and an awareness of the variety of career options open to them. Vocational careers can be overlooked, especially when talking about jobs for girls. The young women I work with really shine, both creatively and intellectually.”   

The National Tradesmen Day is a global initiative, now in its fifth year, which continues to champion the men and women craftsmen who make a real difference through their work. IRWIN TOOLS hopes to raise the profile of this workforce and encourage a new generation of individuals to consider the industry as a rewarding and creative career path.

Wendy is the second of six shortlisted individuals, in the running to take home a Ford truck worth over £40,000. The final winner will be chosen from this group and announced on 18th September at the Toolfair Elex in Coventry. All shortlisted entrants will receive a truckload of IRWIN tools worth £500 as well as hospitality tickets to an NFL game at Wembley Stadium, and the overall final winner will be presented with a brand new FORD F150 4X4 worth over £40,000.

If you know a tradesman worthy of the ‘2015 Ultimate Tradesman’ title visit www.irwin.co.uk/nominate and tell us why.