A Blackpool tiler who created his own success out of struggling to escape a very difficult childhood is now looking to take on an apprentice and to give their career the helping hand that he wished he’d had.
Jason Steele, 31, now runs his own tiling company – Jason the Tiler – as a result of years of grafting and trying to keep above the breadline.
He had been living in care from the age of three until he was 15, when he had to start fending for himself. He spent much of his twenties working two jobs – one during the day and another at night – until he had the money to take the time to train as a tiler.
After excelling at his tiling training – even competing in a tiling competition against workmen from across the country – he set up his business and now has so much work lined up that taking on an apprentice is an essential step.
He told the Blackpool Gazette that he wants to take on a young worker who is willing to give the job everything – regardless of their background – and really show he or she is committed to the tiling profession.
“At this moment in time a lot of people are losing their jobs and finding it hard but as a young person being brought up in social services, it took me a long time to get an opportunity,” Jason said. “But no matter what your circumstances, if you are prepared to try there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
The successful apprentice will spend two days a week studying for an NVQ in tiling.