From Gambia To Wales - Updates From The Trade

Robin Clevett looks at the growing demand for fitted interiors and asks whether carpenters could use their existing skills to move into a new and potentially lucrative area of the industry.Robin is joined by Damian Walters, CEO of the British Institute of Fitted Interior Specialists, to discuss the skills shortage facing the sector, attracting new talent and why carpenters and joiners could be well placed to make the move into furniture fitting.Beth Harrison from Site Works explains the challenges of managing larger fit-out projects, including coordinating trades, suppliers and getting the sequencing of work right.Robin speaks to carpenter Liam McGinley, who has built a successful part of his business around media walls and bespoke furniture, to find out what the demand is like, the challenges involved and where he sees further opportunities.

Robin Clevett looks at neurodiversity in the trade — from the misconceptions surrounding it to the challenges neurodivergent people can face at work.Robin speaks to neurodiversity specialist Susan Fitzell about the strengths neurodivergent workers can bring to the trades, why some people choose not to disclose their diagnosis, and what employers and businesses can do to create more supportive and inclusive workplaces.He also hears first-hand from Carpenters, Ben Haskins and Scott Bubb about their experiences in the trade, their careers, apprenticeships, working life and how neurodiversity has shaped their lives both on and off the tools.

Robin Clevett is joined by TV and radio presenter Sam Pinkham, co-founder of Shack, to hear how he has gone from broadcasting to building a rapidly growing construction business.Shack specialises in the architectural design and sustainable construction of cabins, homes and hotels.Sam talks Robin through the journey of starting the business, scaling up, bringing architectural design in-house and some of the standout projects Shack has delivered.They also discuss the challenges of finding skilled and reliable labour, the construction industry's skills shortage and why Shack has focused on getting more women into senior positions and on site.Sam also shares his experiences working in TV and radio, including presenting Holiday Homes In The Sun and working across some of the UK's biggest radio stations.

Robin Clevett is joined by Liam Burry and Tom O'Reilly from Bristol-based Archwood Carpentry to hear how they got started in the trade, developed their skills and eventually came together to build their own carpentry business.After meeting the pair at the Woodworking Expo in Birmingham, Robin gets an insight into their routes into carpentry, their training experiences, the lessons they’ve learned along the way and what it’s like working together as business partners.They also discuss some of their most challenging and rewarding projects, the work they’re most proud of, the realities of starting a new business and what the future could look like for Archwood Carpentry.A conversation about learning the trade, working together and building a successful carpentry business from the ground up.

Robin Clevett catches up with two previous guests to find out what’s happened since they first appeared on the show.Scott Taylor returns with an update on his long-running work in The Gambia, where he’s spent two decades helping local communities and building schools.When Scott last joined Robin, his latest school project was around 90% complete — so what’s happened since?Robin also catches up with Emily Kitchin, better known online as Chippy Em, to hear about her work on the tools, recent projects, collaborations, challenges and life as a tradesperson creating content online.Plus, Robin shares some updates from his own professional life and what’s coming up for the rest of 2026.

Robin Clevett looks into how tradespeople have integrated AI into their business and working practices so far.Robin talks to Danny Webb, who is an Electrical Contractor that has written books on how to price work and also runs a successful business with his business partner Mike Toulson. Danny talks about using AI for many aspects of his business and how it’s helped him. Sean Matthews, an award winning Carpenter joins Robin to talk about how he’s newly adopted AI in some of his working practices… but has reservations about how much he is willing to trust it and integrate it into business critical tasks.Google UK Chief Exec, Kate Alessi joins the show to share some insight into how the trade community has adopted AI so far and talks about what else is possible as well as a partnership with Screwfix aiming to upskill and train tradespeople.

Robin Clevett has asked three Carpenters & Joiners to join him and talk about what their best attributes are... and also - what is beyond their skills or they simply don't have the patience for.Guests: Richard Wagner, John Argyle & Jay Elliott.

Robin Clevett chats to award winning Carpentry & Joinery business owners about their road to winning their awards and whether it makes a difference to the business. New guest, Ben Naylor talks about how winning awards with his company (Jack Badger) has helped with proving credibility to protential clients and helps with regards to motivating the team.Trade Apprentice 2020 Award winner, Chris Keel talks about his experiences more than half a decade on, What he's doing now with college students and why you should be careful about the kind of awards you go in for. Robin shouts out some tradespeople he thinks would be worthy of winning an award.

Robin Clevett is looking into why and how Builders are taking matters into their own hands as they try to address the skills crisis. Why is there not support coming from industry and are some of those that are supposed to be in your best interest actually working against you here? Robin looks into what the best routes into the industry would be for school leavers, How we could do better with options for school leavers, Where the missed opportunities are and more. Guests: DIY SOS Build Manager, Tom Davis & Screwfix Top Tradesperson Winner, Martin Daly

Robin Clevett chats to ITV Weather Presenter, Alex Beresford about the recent heat waves and what we can expect this summer. Alex also talks about his experiences working alonside Robin on his home renovation project and his appreciation for Carpentry.Charlie Cameron from Treehouse Life talks about how he's navigating the hot weather this summer in the UK and how it compares to having worked in climates around the world, from the East Coast in America to Qatar!