A FORMER bricklayer is challenging stereotypes in a bid to provide male role models for youngsters.

Damon O’Reilly, a fully qualified bricklayer, overcame fears his friends would torment him over his career choice in childcare.

The 20-year-old from Blackburn said he feared people would ‘make his life hell’ for opting to take a job in a traditionally female career.

His move comes as the Government raised fears there is a shortage of male teachers in primary school education.

As a result of becoming the first male apprentice to qualify in childcare at Lancashire based Rosy Apple Childcare, Damon is urging other men from East Lancashire to consider a job in childcare or primary education.

Damon, who shares his time in a Preston nursery and Little Achievers @ Country Fields Nursery in Ramsgreave, near Blackburn, said his bosses had already noticed the impact a male presence has with the children.

He said: “I can make quite a big difference – some children don’t have father figures.

“Some want to play football and want to play with certain games with me rather than female members of staff.

“I have been told I have made a difference and that feels special. It just makes me feel worthwhile.”

Damon, who qualified as a bricklayer in 2007 but then joined Rosy Apple Childcare as an apprentice in October 2008, said: “I was always afraid of what people would say if I did it.

“Many people think stereotypically male teachers are gay not straight and I thought my friends were going to make my life hell.

“When I started doing bricklaying I knew it was not for me.

“But after doing it I have realised it doesn’t matter what people think and you learn who your friends are.

“Real friends will support you and my friends have been really supportive.

“I used to look after my cousins and I always knew I wanted to do this not bricklaying, but I was afraid of what people would say.”