INTERVIEW | SPARKS
AKA LUKESPARKY
SPARKY SPOTLIGHT LUKE WALKER Luke Walker has been in the industry for 19 years. After leaving school with no exams he started an apprenticeship with a family friend. He worked while doing his key skills and qualifications then gained experience with two other companies before becoming self-employed four years ago. SPARKS MAGAZINE: Why did you decide on this trade?
SPARKS: Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
Luke Walker: Short answer is, I didn’t. I got offered the job after being expelled from an art and design course! I went for it and have never looked back.
LW: It’s got to be my kids. They make me want to push myself and be successful so I can make sure they’re always going to be ok.
SPARKS: What advice would you give someone just starting out?
SPARKS: What do you know now that you didn't know three years ago?
LW: Be prepared for a long hard road ahead. It’s hard graft but I strongly believe you get out of something what you’re prepared to put in so stick with it.
LW: That I should have worked for myself a long time ago.
SPARKS: What tool could you not do without? LW: I really like the Knipex ergo stripper, it’s an absolute game changer.
SPARKS: Has social media changed the sparky community? LW: Yes, and for the better. It’s a way of improving standards, sharing good work, hints, tips and new products brought into the industry.
SPARKS: How are you growing your business? LW: Always word of mouth. Treat someone’s home with respect and you’ll never be short of work. None of this smashing the place about - clean and professional is the way forward. SPARKS: Which bit of new technology are you most interested in?
TOP TIP
Never stop listening, never stop learning! You’re in an industry that is forever changing and evolving so you’ve got to be prepared to move with it or get left behind.
“ABSORB ABSOLUTELY EVERY BIT OF INFORMATION YOU POSSIBLY CAN, WHILE YOU CAN, BECAUSE ONE DAY YOU’LL BE ON YOUR OWN AND YOU’LL LOOK BACK ON YOUR APPRENTICESHIP AND BE THANKFUL YOU LISTENED”
LW: I live in a very rural area so I need to start getting into air source heat pumps. SPARKS: What skill does a good electrician need? LW: You need to be able to think on your feet and overcome any problem thrown at you.
@lukesparky
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