Jack Duckett’s journey into upholstery began with a simple stool and a big dream.
From crafting his first piece in a Level 1 Furniture course to mastering his art at Horsfield Upholstery, 19-year-old Jack’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and a drive to keep a timeless craft alive.
Guided by his father’s advice to ‘find something you’re good at and stick to it,’ Jack, a former student at Park High School, Colne, has turned his love for hands-on work into a thriving apprenticeship, blending traditional skills with modern innovation.”
Jack contacted Horsfield Upholstery and found himself talking to the owner Martin Kegg, a former Themis Apprentice. He began work experience and after a successful stint, they offered him an apprenticeship role. Jack said:
“It all just fell into place, I always knew I didn’t want to go to uni. I’ve always done work for my dad since age 13 and I’d always work when I wasn’t in school. My dad always said you’ve got to find something you’re good at and stick to it and that’s what I’ve done.”
Since starting his journey at Horsfield Upholstery, Jack has honed his skills in upholstery and running a business. He said:
“I’m learning lots of things at once. I’ve been able to develop lots of new skills, I can now open the shop on my own and help customers which I couldn’t do when I started.”
“I like how different every day is – I wouldn’t be able to do the same thing every day. For example, I’ve come in today and I’ve got a sofa to prep and tomorrow I’ll have something completely different to do.”
Martin praised Jack’s enthusiasm and creativity, saying:
“Jack is always keen to try new things, and he brings fresh ideas that Neil and I wouldn’t have thought of. The other day he took a picture of a sofa and put it through AI to show the customer how it could look in certain settings.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Martin said:
“After finishing my course, I struggled to find a job during COVID, so I started upholstering furniture in my garage, and then it snowballed.”
“After the first year with an apprentice, that’s when you start getting the reward. A lot of people got rid of apprentices when wages started going up but now Jack is in his second year of study, he can do so much and now he’s found his strengths.”
Looking ahead, Jack hopes to continue working in upholstery after completing his apprenticeship. He said:
“My dream is to have my own business or to continue to be a big part of this one, to be like Martin and Neil. Upholstery is a dying trade, so I want it to keep going. I’ll have the detailed knowledge that sets me apart from others.”
