Man hooks 'dream' tutor role after boxing injury

A MAN who left school at 16 with a single GCSE in maths is now teaching the next generation of construction workers.

- EMILY GRAY

Tragedy struck Joe Hardingham, from Gateshead, when he dislocated his knee while training for a boxing match and found himself bedbound and without any income less than five years ago.

Speaking on that time, the now 24-year-old, said: "I was at a real crossroads in my life, and I was still just a teenager." But after enrolling on a course with the goal of finding a career, Joe is instead now helping others launch their own careers after joining Optimum Skills as a short course construction tutor.

For Joe, the joy is twofold given he's not just helping change other people's lives for the better, but also his own.

He added: "I have people who come in on their first day and can't even pick up a hammer, and I'm helping them to eventually get on a site and make a proper living.

"The satisfaction I get from that is unmatched, but for myself, it has given me a totally different trajectory. I knew early on my time on the trades was limited. I've boxed since I was 11, so my body was already feeling it, so knew I needed to find a way to make my career last."