Derek started working at Lancaster & Morecambe College in 2006 after a career that took him all over the world in the joinery industry. When he returned to the UK, he decided to take up teaching as a way to share his expertise with the next generation of joiners.

His career began in the North East, and he eventually moved to London, where he specialized in shop fitting and applied his skills to revamp spaces in the city.

I decided to look further afield and emigrated to New Zealand, where I worked as a boat builder. From there, I moved around the area, including Australia and Hong Kong, working for a company that fitted out all the Louis Vuitton shops in the southern hemisphere. Louis Vuitton is still a proud sponsor of the America’s Cup Challenger Series, and the most luxurious shop I fitted for them was a £6 million store in Auckland, Australia, on the harbor side, where we had an amazing view of all the yachts taking part in the race.

Throughout the years, Derek has practiced and refined his trade in various environments, which he can now share with learners and guide them in their future careers. When asked about the best part of being a tutor at LMC, Derek said:

I really enjoy passing on my joinery experiences and skills to the students, as well as watching them develop into good citizens. I also enjoy working with all the professional staff here at LMC.

If you are contemplating whether or not to join the course, Derek advises:

Try to achieve the best grades you can. As a qualified Carpenter or Joiner, you will have the opportunity to work anywhere in the world.

YOUR TUTOR(S)

Derek Bothwick

Teaches: Carpentry & Joinery

Try to achieve the best grades you can. As a qualified Carpenter or Joiner, you will have the opportunity to work anywhere in the world.

Chris Huntington

Teaches: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Fabrication and Welding both full time and Apprentices

Come and join us here as LMC! You’ll gain new skills, use industry standard equipment, be taught by a dedicated team of specialists who are passionate about educating you to a higher skills level, so that you can gain an Apprenticeship or full time employment.

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ALUMNI

Samuel Orchard

Courses Taken: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Joinery Bench Apprenticeship

Kyle Davies

Courses Taken: Plumbing Level 2

George Mundy

Courses Taken: Level 2 & Level 3 Bench Joinery Apprenticeship

Will McLean

Courses Taken: Carpentry & Joinery Apprenticeships Level 2 and 3

Profession: Apprentice at Compass Construction Group

Lucas Bentley

Courses Taken: Carpentry & Joinery Level 1 & Level 2

Profession: Joiner at ACE Joinery

Years Studied: 2016 - 2019

Billy Walden

Courses Taken: Carpentry & Joinery Level 2

Profession: Carpenter and Shop Proprietor

Years Studied: 2014 - 2017

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