A former Electrical student at the College has delivered a high voltage performance in a new Channel 4 property show. Emily Porecka (27) from Killingbeck, Leeds, appeared in the first episode of The Great House Giveaway, an original new daytime series which offers two strangers the opportunity to get their foot on the property ladder.
Presented by Simon O’Brien (Find It, Fix It, Flog It; Lost and Found), The Great House Giveaway is a brand new property format, where in each programme two people who have never met and have never owned a home before will be given a lump sum to buy a property at auction. The pair then have six months to revive the property into a habitable and desirable home. If they don’t sell – the house goes back to auction.
Above: (L-R) Emily Porecka and Vikki Hague renovate their auction home in Bradford.
I’m really pleased to be changing perceptions of female tradespeople... I often get surprised looks when I turn up to a job, but it’s great to break stereotypes
Emily (NVQ Level 3 qualification, Electrical)
Simon, a successful property developer himself, is on hand to offer tips and tricks to help each partnership of novice property developers have the best shot of making a sale and coming away with a profit. Any profit they make from auction, they will get to keep, helping them towards their dream of owning their own home one day.
Emily, who studied an NVQ Level 3 qualification in the Electrical Department at Leeds College of Building, said:
“I first heard of the show when my mum tagged me on a Facebook post. The production company were looking for participants and wanted a mix of both tradespeople and those new to property development. I got in touch and soon after was accepted.
“I got paired with Vikki Hague, a private investigator in Leeds. We got on so well, we made a dream team! We had just £9,000 to renovate our auction house in Bradford and had to contend with various issues through the project like unforeseen building regulations.
“I approached the joinery department at the College, and they were a massive help on the project too. Three students and a tutor came to the house and helped us fit a second-hand kitchen. The students got valuable practical experience and it looked amazing!”
Emily, who currently rents a home with seven-year-old daughter Grace, said she hoped to put profit from the house sale towards a deposit for their own home.
Emily continued: “I’m really pleased to be changing perceptions of female tradespeople. When I started my course at College, it was a bit scary, but I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I have no regrets, met lots of great people, and love what I do now! “I often get surprised looks when I turn up to a job, but it’s great to break stereotypes. Working on this project gave me lots more skills alongside electrical work, including plumbing, tiling and plastering. I’m a qualified electrician but run my own handywoman service now.”
Catch Emily’s performance on All 4: The Great House Giveaway, and the rest of the series on weekdays at 4pm on Channel 4.
