Paul makes a change for the better
I’ve done it before at uni, so I think that helps. I’m really enjoying it – everyone helps each other and we’ve got a really good group of lecturers.
Is the college training what you were expecting? Obviously online learning wasn’t what I was expecting, but we’ve all had to adapt to COVID restrictions. The coursework is more advanced than I thought it would be and there’s a lot of science there. It helps me appreciate what everyone I work with has done and the hard work they’ve put in to get where they are. I really enjoy being in the group that I’m in and learning together.
And what about working on site? Everyone I work with is really helpful. When I ask a question, they don’t just tell me the answer, they explain why that’s the case and why you do something a certain way. I’m learning so much. I’ve been working on a care home and got to see the job all the way through – wiring it up was one of my favourite things to do. It was great to experience the job all the way through, from when the site opened and it was an empty shell to seeing it fi nished.
Have there been any challenges? Some things take me longer to understand, but as long as I understand it all by my third year then I know I’ll be okay. I’m still in fi rst year so I’ve still got time ahead of me and it’s all a big learning curve. I’ve still got a part-time job at the weekends as a sales manager. I’ve been in the job for ten years and they’re really helpful if I have any shift issues. I work some nights as well, so there are times when I’ll go from working on site straight to my other job where I’ll be until 10pm.
How helpful have the Scottish Electrical Training Trust (SECTT) and your training offi cers been during your journey? They’ve been great. Our training offi cer answered any questions we
had and would text us when we were on site to check if we had any issues. We’ve just got a new training offi cer who I’ve contacted a couple of times for help and he always gets back to me really quickly. Even though they’re busy guys, you’re never left sitting around waiting for an answer and the communication is excellent.
What does the future hold? I’ve not really thought about it. I just want to get on with what I’m doing and pass my test when it comes. Starting the apprenticeship is probably the best decision I’ve ever made. I might be older than some other apprentices, but it’s never too late to start and becoming an electrician gives you a skill for life.
“It was great to experience the job all the way through, from when the site opened and it was an empty shell to seeing it fi nished”
CABLEtalk JUNE/JULY 2021 45
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