This week is Scottish Apprenticeship Week and we’re highlighting opportunities across East Lothian Council. Today we spoke to apprentice electrician Alex Kelly from the Council’s Property Maintenance service.
Alex, 20, a former Ross High School pupil, has been nominated for the APSE Apprentice of the Year Award. We have fingers crossed for him! He is now in his second year as an apprentice.
Alex told us: “I decided to embark on an apprenticeship as I believe it is a great way to start a lifelong career. As an apprentice I earn while I learn. All the while I am gaining on-site experience and working towards a qualification at college. Apprentices such as myself receive a high quality of training that is sought after, meaning there is always a wide variety of work that can be undertaken and a range of career development opportunities beyond my studied trade.
“I am currently learning multiple aspects of being an electrician such as testing, electrical fault finding, installing new circuits, upgrading existing circuits and so on. At college, I have had the opportunity to learn through science and technology classes and have the task of designing an entire electrical installation, including calculating illumination levels all the way to selecting the correct type of circuit breakers. All the skills and information I have learned so far allow me to progress through my apprenticeship and will give me the ability to work as a qualified electrician in the future.
“My apprenticeship takes four years to complete. Each year, more time is spent on-site as opposed to in college. Once I have reached the end of my apprenticeship, I must pass a trade test to become a qualified electrician. Two years after this I can take another test to become an approved electrician, which could offer more opportunities into roles such as managerial positions.
“My advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship would be that it is a fantastic way to learn, gain experience and meet new people. An apprenticeship gives people the ability to work their way into a lasting career, which is often secure as there is always a need for skilled trades and this can be hard to come by. An apprenticeship can give people a foundation to start from that can eventually stem into a diverse group of professions, meaning they are not necessarily confined to their studied trade. Lastly, you are paid to work as an apprentice and can often undertake further education which means you can study a broad range of jobs relating to your chosen trade.”
Susanne Durkin, Team Leader, coordinates the craft apprenticeship programme for East Lothian Council. She explained: “We generally have 12 craft apprentices working with us at any one time. Each apprenticeship lasts four years. Salaries are funded by the Council however the college attendance (two years mandatory) is funded by training providers.
“To meet training providers’ criteria, plumbing and electrical apprentices must be aged 16-19 at start date. All other trade apprentices must be 16 or over at start date. There are minimum qualifications required and apprentices must live in East Lothian.”
Alex’s team leader Andrew McGregor said: “An apprenticeship is a great opportunity for anyone looking to learn a trade. The Council has a strong track record in retaining and developing our apprentices. In fact, two of the current management team served local authority apprenticeships.”
We advertise craft apprenticeship opportunities around late March/early April each year. We are about to advertise two apprentice painter posts. Look out for posts on social media and on MyJobScotland