ICOM celebrates apprenticeships for ‘National Apprenticeship Week’ #NAW2015 National Apprenticeship Week (NAW2015) - takes place from 9-13 March 2015, and is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. Supporting the event, the Industrial and Commercial Energy Association, ICOM, will be showcasing a series of real life apprenticeship career profiles. The profiles demonstrate how an apprenticeship can provide; qualifications, career progression, excitement and crucially the experience and opportunity to work in a real life environment.
Meet Louis. Name: Louis Stratford Type of apprenticeship: Engineering/Installation and Commissioning Year started/completed: 2003 - 2007 Current position: Service Technician 1.
What encouraged you to do an apprenticeship in your chosen field?
I grew up wanting to be a fireman but when I left Banbury College at 17, there were no vacancies – so I started thinking about plan B. I have now been a service engineer for Lochinvar for over 11 years – and don’t have any regrets about my plan B at all!
2. What are the most important skills your apprenticeship has taught you? When I joined the apprenticeship scheme, I learnt on the tools, shadowing the experienced technicians carrying out commissioning and servicing work, as well as some plumbing and pipework installation as well as getting my academic City and Guilds gas qualification. I have gained my NVQ level 3 in installation and commissioning and am continuing my qualifications as I work. 3.
What opportunities has your apprenticeship provided you with?
I didn’t know anything when I joined but I enjoyed it from the start. I loved working in a different place every day and not being stuck in an office. Having my practical and academic education paid for by my employer – including block releases to gain my qualification – has been great. Now I hope to expand my skills even further by working on the company’s renewables equipment. 4.
Could you describe what your typical working day entails?
It actually starts the day before, around 3pm, when I receive my work schedule for the following day via my laptop. This allows me to check whether I need to call into the Lochinvar headquarters to pick up replacement parts. My work varies between fault finding and commissioning new equipment as well as some occasional servicing.
5. What has been the highlight in your working career? I was working on two water heaters in a temple in Ghana. It was a beautiful place with marble everywhere – although it was right next to the shanty towns – a place of real contrast and a fascinating experience for me. In a project in Mauritius, we supplied 70 water heaters. Although we were able to test them here, they use different gas, so we had to commission them on site. This meant a 10-day trip, which was definitely a highlight! 6. What advice would you give to young people unsure about an apprenticeship in your industry? I would definitely advice young people to follow in my footsteps – it is really challenging but if you like technology, there’s plenty to fiddle with. Ends For further information contact: -Jo, jo@eua.org.uk, 01926 513728. www.eua.org.uk www.icom.org.uk Note to editors: The Industrial & Commercial Energy Association, ICOM, is a member organisation working to engage in all aspects of energy related business activities, working closely with government, non-governmental offices, research establishments and industry trade associations towards a greener future. ICOM is a division of the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA).