16/06/2026
Last week we had a 15 year old student in for work experience. A great young lad who would like to start as a tradesman after his GCSES next year. He very kindly sent us a copy of his speech prepared and read to his classmates on Monday ❤️
“Good morning, everyone. Today I’m going to talk about my work experience placement at a flooring company called Floored and how it helped me understand what real working life is like and how to use your skills in a professional way.
I spent a week working with a local flooring business, and before I started, I thought I knew quite a bit about the different wood floors and how to recognise them, but when I was doing the job I quickly realised I actually didn’t know much about what the job involved.
I also thought it was just about laying carpets or fitting wooden floors. But when I first arrived to a site or somebody’s house, I realised there was a lot more to it. Flooring is a mix of practical skill, problem‑solving, heavy lifting, teamwork, and good communication skills with customers that are looking to buy a carpet or floor for their home.
On my first day, I was shown around the workshop and the showroom. I learned about different types of flooring — from laminate and vinyl to carpet tiles and engineered wood. I was surprised by how many choices customers have and how important it is to give them the right advice as every home is different in in at least one way, from concrete not being level to the angle of a corner being slightly off. I helped organise samples, measure materials, and prepare tools for the fitters so that they are ready to go for the next day when they have another job. Even simple tasks taught me how important accuracy and attention to detail are in this industry.
One of the highlights of my week was going out with the fitting team. I watched them measure rooms, cut materials, and fit flooring so precisely that even a few millimetres made a difference. They explained how every house is different, so you have to think carefully about angles, edges, and obstacles like radiators and skirting boards when putting carpet down. It made me appreciate how skilled the job really is. I even got to help remove old flooring and prepare the sub‑floor as well as putting down gripper rods for the new carpet to stay in place, which showed me how much work happens before the new floor or carpet even goes down.
I also learned about the business side of the company. I saw how they deal with customers, manage orders, and plan jobs. It showed me that running a business isn’t just about doing the practical work — it’s also about organisation, time management, managing expenses and keeping customers happy.
Overall, my work experience taught me a lot about responsibility and independence. I had to turn up on time, listen carefully, and work safely. I realised that every job, no matter what it is, requires effort and professionalism. The week helped me understand my strengths, like communication and teamwork, and it also showed me areas I can improve, such as confidence when trying new tasks like talking to customers when others are busy and trying not to mess up.
In the end, I left with a real sense of achievement. I learned new skills, met new people, and gained a better understanding of what I might want to do in the future. My time at the flooring company showed me that work can be challenging when you are working hard, but also rewarding after you put in the effort.
Thank you for listening to my speech about my work experience”
