[ Focus: Apprentice exchange ] Luke Wheeler, UK


Twenty one-year old Luke Wheeler is currently completing his apprenticeship with SPIE Matthew Hall. In June 2012, Luke was selected for the exchange from a shortlist of six potential applicants after impressing judges from the JIB Further Education Fund committee at a challenging interview stage. While in the USA, Luke worked with EJ Electric.


What types of projects did you experience? I had two main jobs – one was at the Empire State building,


working on the external lights that light up the top of the building. The other was on site at an offi ce complex fi tting temporary commercial heaters. In addition to my main projects, I


also got the opportunity to visit the New York JIB offi ces in Manhattan, and also their training centre on Long Island for a residential course on the 2008 fi nancial crisis. They are very training-focused, and their facilities are incredible – it was more like a hotel complex than a training centre!


What were the main diff erences between how the UK and US industries work?


On site, I found things were quite similar; the management structure was the same. The main


diff erences were to do with materials and cables – for instance, the cable colours are diff erent. Also, where we use steel wired armoured cable for big supplies, in the States they use conduit and run the copper singles along the pipe. It was also fascinating to see how the American


apprentices train. At the moment, they work all day and then go to a night school once a week to study the electrical theory. But in addition to doing electrical theory, they also go to college for another evening each week and study things like labour studies, economics, or engineering, so they also graduate with a degree as well as their apprenticeship. The training process is a lot more intense, and you come out with additional qualifi cations as well as your apprenticeship.


What was your overall experience like?


I was really grateful for the reception I got over there; it was a great eye opener to see how


Four years ago I would never have thought I would be where I am today – so many doors have been opened to me throughout the course of my training


labour is used in a diff erent country. It’s much more union based, and you really notice this. They all work together and everyone is always willing to give a helping hand, there’s a real desire to get involved and help out. The union meetings are really well attended –


several hundreds – even up to a thousand – at each meeting. They have an apprentice committee, they run charity events and events for apprentices and also do a lot of volunteering. It’s such a tight-knit community – I would say it’s not just a job or career for the electricians over there; it’s a way of life.


What learning or thoughts have you


brought back with you? I think the whole union community made a real


impact on me. It goes to show how you could really enhance your work and personal life if everyone got together and embraced the community element. The electricians over there all had the common bond between them and they used this at a social level, for instance with events, picnics and sub- groups of people with shared interests. It made me realise the


potential of what could happen in the UK if there was the drive to do something like this.


What are your long term career goals?


Once I’ve completed my apprenticeship and done my testing, I want to get to Approved


Electrician – that’s my fi rst goal. After that, I’m interested in further training in things like building management systems (BMS) and other areas, and perhaps something more supervisory in the future.


You’ve almost fi nished your apprenticeship – how has this gone for you? My apprenticeship has defi nitely been benefi cial to me; I have always been more practically


minded and never felt I was very academic. But during my apprenticeship, I learnt new communication and literacy skills and have improved on the academic side. Four years ago I would never have thought I would be where I am today – so many doors have been opened to me throughout the course of my training. This exchange has been a good example of this, and I’m grateful to the JIB for the opportunity.


November 2012 ECA Today 63


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