Steve Atterbury is a Trainee Wood Machinist with Morgan Timber in Rochester, Kent.

“I joined Morgan Timber straight from school having seen an advertisement in the local paper. I was offered a Modern Apprenticeship and that’s helping me to make progress and learn. The company is training me in NVQ Level 2 Wood Machining, and I go to college in Folkestone one day a week. I’m learning about timber and how it can be sawn or planed to get the most out of it.

“The best part of my job is setting up the machines for each new profile. Every morning we see what orders we’ve got to complete then set up the machines in different ways depending on the products to be made. Doing a really good job for our customers is the best thing we can do to improve our reputation. We have to check properly for safety before we begin production - this takes about ten minutes. The company also sent me on an ICA Health & Safety Course to learn more about safety.

“Some people think working with timber is not good for the environment. I disagree. My job is very environment-friendly. There’s very little waste and even the sawdust is sold for other purposes. People in the last couple of years at school or college should be told more about how many trees are planted for every one we use to make timber products. I’d encourage anyone to take up a job like mine. The pay, the training and the prospects are all good.”