We believe that apprenticeships provide鈥痝reat career development鈥痮pportunities,鈥痗ombining hands-on training with vocational learning.鈥疘n National Apprenticeship Week, we are celebrating some of the members of our Group who have used apprenticeships to kick-start their career.鈥�听
Trainee electrician Liam Davies left school at 16 and combined a full-time college course with part-time jobs in a supermarket and sandwich shop. He says he was 鈥渂uzzing鈥� when he was offered one of our electrical apprenticeships:听
鈥淚 was ecstatic. This was a chance to work for a big company, to earn while I learned and really prove myself,鈥� he remembers.听
Liam successfully progressed on his apprenticeship, combining practical learning in the College workshops with on-the-job training.听
鈥淎n apprenticeship is completely different to anything else I鈥檇 experienced. I think you grow up quickly. Some of my friends were still in school and college, while I was in the workplace, alongside people aged 18-65. I learned to communicate with colleagues and customers and to treat everyone with respect. I had responsibilities; a lot was expected of me,鈥� he says.听
鈥淲ith an apprenticeship, you鈥檙e learning all the time, not just in the classroom. I gained the technical skills in college but learned how to apply them in a domestic setting, alongside some incredibly experienced electricians. They have been really great teachers and feel like my second family.鈥�听
Liam has now successfully completed his apprenticeship and become a trainee electrician, with a learning and development plan including City & Guilds 2391 Inspection and Testing. He鈥檚 helping to look after 19,000 黑料吃瓜网 properties in Staffordshire and Shropshire:听听
鈥淎t the end of the day, I want to do a good job and be the best version of myself. I鈥檓 proud that I can say I am 鈥榓pprentice trained鈥�. That鈥檚 a real accolade in my trade.鈥�听