Training

ONCE AN ELECTRICIAN, NOT ALWAYS AN ELECTRICIAN

Jake Green, Technical Engagement Manager with Click Scolmore, talks about the different paths his career has taken since he first completed his apprenticeship back in 2012.

When you set out with your apprenticeship under your belt, you just never know where it will take you

Like many in the industry, a career as an electrician was Jake’s main focus during the three years that he undertook his apprenticeship at Bedford College under the NICEIC training programme. He started his apprenticeship with a small company called Anvil Energy Saving Installations. The work he handled was varied and included rewires, solar PV installs, as well as works on food processing plants and LED upgrades.

Working for a small firm like this has its perks. Whilst you may not always earn the most in your class, you do have the advantage of working closely with the electrician on the job and really get the attention you need to hone your skills and also to progress with your studies.

Having completed his apprenticeship, Jake decided to go at it alone and started his own electrical business working for a large restaurant chain, carrying out planned maintenance on all aspects of the electrical system, as well as upgrading lighting systems to the more recognised LED lighting. Setting up and running your own business is tough. You have to be prepared to make sacrifices and put your life on hold as you establish your business and reputation. You also need to consider what other skills you need to run a business besides your electrical qualifications e.g., taking care of admin, marketing, and finance, to name a few. After a year, Jake decided that it was not for him and he took up a position with a facility maintenance company, carrying out work for blue chip companies, undertaking a range of jobs across different trades, and not just electrical.

Jake carried on with this role for two years, when he was approached with a new opportunity to join Certsure – more commonly known as NICEIC – as part of the marketing technical team. He was one of two presenters touring the country delivering tech talks to contractors, gaining experience in regulations publications and also developing vital presentation skills.

It was during this time that he was provided with the opportunity to join Scolmore Group as technical engagement engineer. Working for a manufacturer is not something Jake had ever considered, but it was a natural move from his role with Certsure – putting his in-depth knowledge of the electrical industry and standards, and also his newly acquired presenting skills, to good use. Jake now heads up Scolmore’s technical engagement team. The role includes engaging with professional contractors and electricians to advise and educate them on the right solutions and products to meet the ever changing regulations and technical requirements of the industry. He also helps develop and present training content across Scolmore’s social media channels, including the SGTV YouTube channel.

In summary, when you set out with your apprenticeship under your belt, you just never know where it will take you. For many, working on the tools is something they’ve always wanted to do and they enjoy the new challenges that it brings with evolving technologies. For others it provides a platform to explore and experience a range of different roles. A number of the directors at Scolmore started out on the tools and have worked their way up on to the board and are now using their expertise at corporate level. The sky really is the limit!

Scolmore, scolmore.com