A carpentry student from Saron has won the Welsh regional title of the Institute of Carpenters Carpenters’ craft competition.

Josephine Jones is in her first year of studying a City and Guilds diploma in carpentry and joinery at Coleg Sir Gâr’s Ammanford campus where she is also signed-up to the college’s shared apprentice scheme.

Following a specification set-out by Institute of Carpenters, Josephine set-about responding to the brief. “The spec was quite complicated at first,” she said. “It involved intricate work which meant that creating strong joints was a challenge but I enjoyed it.”

Josephine also says that her first year of study helped prepare her for the competition where she learned about joinery, joints and the best tools to carry out the work. “Since I was a young girl I’ve always wanted to do a trade job,” she said. “But I was encouraged not to and guided into other careers.”

Finally pursuing her passion, Josephine added: “I love working with wood, I like working outdoors and doing something physical and I’m doing something different every day.”

The Carpenters’ Craft Competition is the only national competition open to students of carpentry, joinery and shop fitting. It gives outstanding students the chance to showcase their work and have it judged by leaders in the field.

Winners are presented with their prizes at a special ceremony held at Carpenters Hall, London.