A LAKES College lecturer is laying down his trowel for the final time as he retires after 40 years of teaching.

Wayne Robinson, 66, first joined what is now Lakes College as a brickwork lecturer in November 1982, after previously working for Walker Bros in Cockermouth.

Since starting at the college, Wayne has helped more than 1,500 apprentices to achieve their qualifications in brickwork – with many of them going on to lead successful careers in the construction industry.

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Wayne said: “Lots has changed over the years, and I’ve taught many different types of apprenticeship frameworks and standards during my time here.”

David Hill, 57, joined the brickwork course in 1982 and was part of Wayne’s first cohort of students. He went on to work as a bricklayer before returning to Lakes College as a lecturer.

Dave said: “Thinking back, the way that we were taught helped to set my path towards working here and really influenced me.

“I’ve now worked here for 18 years and definitely wouldn’t have done so if it wasn’t for Wayne.”

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When asked for some words of advice for potential bricklayers of the future as the college celebrated National Apprenticeship Week 2023, Wayne said: “If bricklaying is your destiny you have to work for it - it’s physically demanding, but you’ve also got to have a good knowledge of the subject itself, so you really have to be switched on and a hard worker.”

The college has marked National Apprenticeship Week 2023 with a number of activities across its campus, including skills competitions in the catering and hair and beauty departments, employer stalls and workshops and sharing success stories on social media.

Brickwork is available to study as a Level 2 qualification, and more details can be found at the Lakes College website: www.lcwc.ac.uk