Judo star swaps kicks for bricks

A judo star who works for Derbyshire Institute of Sport has been helping out on a building site belonging to sponsor Hodgkinson Builders to highlight careers in the industry.

Jamie Spencer-Pickup, who recently joined DIS as business development manager, spent a day working at a site in Nether Heage, where Hodgkinson is building 34 homes.

Jamie, who recently returned from Poland where he competed in the European University Judo Championships, representing the British Universities team, was invited to mix mortar and lay a few bricks under the guidance of brickie James ‘Marv’ Boyfield.

Jamie said: “It was an interesting experience and harder than it looks.

“I did think Marv would start again with the bricks I laid but he said they were ok, which amazed me!

“Laying hundreds of bricks a day must be hard work but seems to be a great trade to be in. Brickies can earn good money.”

Hodgkinson’s office manager Sophia Jelaca looks after the apprentice team made up of seven men and one woman.

She said: “The bricklaying apprentice apprenticeships can take between 18 months and three years to complete, depending on the training provider they are linked to.

“The young people we train learn a lot on the job. They have to know about site behaviours, health and safety and get to interact with the more experienced bricklayers and other tradespeople. They pick up the tips and tricks of the trade.

“It is a fantastic job for the right person, and they become proud of completing the job of building homes for families.”