This month, Studio 1718, an award-winning bespoke furniture and cabinetmaking studio in Dundonald, welcomed Joe for his T Level Craft & Design industry placement.

The partnership began earlier this year when Susan from Studio 1718 met representatives from The Furniture Makers’ Company and LDE UTC at the Frederick Parker Collection lectures and dinner. Inspired by the college’s approach to helping young people realise their potential through technical education, she visited LDE UTC the next day and left determined to get involved.

Fast forward to now, and Joe is in the workshop learning from the Studio 1718 team,  observing, building, and gaining confidence with every task.

“He’s thrown himself into every task with enthusiasm and is already picking up new skills,” said Michael Mancini, Founder of Studio 1718. “This is exactly why we open the workshop door - to give young people the space to discover what they’re capable of.”

For Joe, this is more than work experience. It’s a chance to see how creativity, craftsmanship, and problem-solving come together in a professional studio environment and to gain hands-on insight into the industry he aspires to join.

About IndEX Experience (Placements)

This placement forms part of our IndEX Experience (Placements) programme, one of four employer-led touchpoints at LDE UTC. Industry placements provide learners with real-world experience, helping them apply knowledge, develop practical skills, and build meaningful connections for their future careers.

Join our employer community and help shape the next generation of talent.
 Get involved through one of our IndEX touchpoints, from setting live briefs to hosting industry placements.
 Get in touch with our Head of Partnerships, [email protected].