Sisters Kiki and Charlie came to Able Skills to learn plastering together. Charlie had already completed a plumbing course with us last year and wanted to continue building her practical skills. Meanwhile, Kiki was eager to get to work on her "crumbling farmhouse" in the Scottish Borders. 

We caught up with them on the final day of their Introduction to Plastering course to find out why they chose Able Skills, how they'd found the experience and what they plan to tackle next.  

Why did you decide to do the Introduction to Plastering course? 

Charlie: 

“When you’ve got electricals or when you’ve got plumbing, it either works or it doesn’t. The lights turn off and on. The water comes in or you switch it off. It’s quite binary.  

“With plastering there’s so many different skills that you need to learn and nuances that go into plastering. The pressure you're putting on the trowel. The angle of your wrist. The consistency of the plaster. The weather! So many variables.” 

Kiki: 

“And I don’t know if you get that from a YouTube video, and there are YouTube videos, all sorts.  

“But actually, somebody coming and touching the trowel with you as you’re doing it, showing you how to move, you can’t get that from a video. That’s why we’re here.” 

Charlie: 

“And also screwing it up – better screwing it up than in your own house. I’ve spent a lot of time just dropping plaster on the floor!” 

Would you like to do any other trade courses at Able Skills?  

Charlie: 

“I would love to do an electrical course, but I know it’s much more intensive. I did the plumbing last year, because I was always a little bit apprehensive about water – what needs to happen to make sure you don’t flood the place. 

What's the first thing you’ll do with your new skills? 

Kiki: 

"At home, we've taken out the particle board and replaced it with plasterboard. It's not tape and fill; it joins another original plastered wall. So now I know how to join these together." 

Charlie: 

“It’s just about building confidence for me. With plumbing, it was just being comfortable turning a nut and thinking ‘f a bit of water comes out it’s okay’. It’s the same with plastering. But we’re going to test on my sister’s house first before we do mine!” 

How have you found the instruction? 

Charlie: 

“When you don’t hear from Neal and Jo, it’s a good thing because it means your doing the right thing. But if they come in shaking their heads...” 

Kiki: 

“Or wandering round like Paul Hollywood.” *shakes head* 

“There’s no standing around. We’re just getting on with it.” 

Kiki later summed up the experience in her Trustpilot review: 

"They were excellent teachers, guiding us patiently with words and actions, with humour and lots of information. Not once did I feel that being a woman or left-handed was an issue." 

And what’s been your highlight? 

Charli:

“Highlight for me was today when we took a wall each. It just goes to show that practice and honing skills over a week’s course really does work.” 

They came to learn plastering. They leave with confidence. 

As Kiki wrote in her Trustpilot review: 

"It has filled me with so much confidence for handling jobs in my house and a greater understanding of what to look for when carrying out work at home." 

What surprised them wasn't just learning plastering techniques, it was leaving with the confidence to actually attempt projects themselves. Kiki’s farmhouse is first on the list.