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PERSON PROFILE WITH
TEAMED UP WITH ESG
We’ve teamed up with ESG Limited and are co-sponsoring an All-Female Skills Competition on International Women’s Day in March, to encourage more females into the industry. The competition, held at Lewisham College, will include eight female apprentices based in London and/or the South East and is being supported by Schneider Electric, Yesss Electrical and Scruffs.
ESG currently employs 20 apprentices so we spoke to Andy Hider, ESG’s Managing Director, and asked him what suggestions he had for our SPARKS readers.
TIPS FOR THE NEXT STEPS
Andy began his career as an apprentice. At ESG Andy’s focus has been on keeping the company at the forefront of the industry: committing to modern methods of construction, digital engineering and training future leaders. Here, he gives us some helpful advice.
LOOKING FOR AN APPRENTICESHIP?
The internet is a huge source of information and there is also a great deal of self-learning you can do to make yourself ‘work ready’. For example, look into:
■ the qualifications required to become a fully qualified electrician
■ the basic Health & Safety knowledge required for all people working on construction sites. For example, you will need a CSCS Card. There is a free app available which you can use to learn the basics and practice answering questions for the exams
■ some of the main systems and technologies currently installed into buildings.
You don’t need to know the intricate details but you will make a great first impression if you can talk confidently about the company you are meeting and what they do!
NEWLY QUALIFIED AND LOOKING FOR A JOB?
To start your search for an employer you should consider applying for vacancies through local projects. In the UK, all major construction projects are obliged to create opportunities for apprentices as part of their Planning Consent. Reputable contractors will dedicate a manager to deliver these commitments by engaging with local schools, colleges and the wider community. Look out for any large projects in your area and ask if there is a scheme running. Visit the main contractor or developer’s website and search for their contact details.
Alternatively, you can find a list of all registered electrical contractors on the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) website and make some direct approaches. For more information visit: www.esglimited.com
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TOP TIPS
■ Take control of your career. Think about where you might want your career to go in future and create a plan. Think BIG!
■ Be a self-starter. Take an interest in engineering, building systems and services and the innovations that are coming through, even nonelectrical elements which are being constructed. Never stop developing your knowledge
■ Start building your professional profile straight away! Set up a LinkedIn profile and start following relevant organisations and people. You will learn a lot about the industry and your network of contacts will grow weekly
■ Love your job! You spend a lot of your life at work, the more you put into being a tradesperson, the more you will get back in return.
