Training
Investing in the next generation
Mirek Bezdel, director at Fulham-based wholesaler Electrical4Less, shares the company’s experience of taking on two EDA apprentices.
L
ike many businesses across the electrical wholesale sector, we are very aware of the ongoing skills shortage
facing our industry.
Recruiting experienced people can be challenging, which is why developing new talent is becoming increasingly important for the long-term health of the sector. With that in mind, we decided to invest in apprenticeships through the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA)’s apprenticeship programme.
In December, we welcomed two 16-year- old apprentices into our business. Taking on apprentices straight from school can sometimes feel like a leap of faith, but our experience so far has been extremely positive. Both of them have exceeded our expectations by a mile. A big part of their early development has been the approach taken by our trade counter manager, Beata. Instead of giving them the traditional “sweeping the fl oor” type of tasks that many young starters might expect, she believed it was better to immerse them in the real day-to-day work of the business from the start.
They were introduced very early to how the system works – learning about invoicing, purchase orders and the processes that keep a wholesaler running. It was very much a “deep water” approach, but always with guidance and support. This meant they were learning the real workings of the business rather than just observing from the sidelines. This approach worked extremely well. Rather than becoming bored or feeling like they were only doing minor tasks, they felt involved and important from the very beginning. That sense of responsibility helped them build confi dence quickly and gave them a much better understanding of how the business operates.
It has also been interesting to see how diff erent
their strengths are. Even though they joined at the same time, they already show very diff erent skill sets. One of them is naturally confi dent and very good at multitasking. He is comfortable speaking with customers, answering phone calls, replying to emails and helping people face-to-face at the trade counter, often all at the same time. He has quickly developed the confi dence needed to handle the fast-paced environment of a busy electrical wholesaler.
The other apprentice has a very meticulous approach and pays great attention to detail. When
“Instead of giving them the traditional ‘sweeping the fl oor’ type of tasks that many young starters might expect, we believed it was better to immerse the apprentices in the real day- to-day work of the business from the start.”
checking orders or scanning barcodes in the warehouse, he is extremely thorough and careful. His attention to detail helps ensure orders are packed correctly and mistakes are avoided, which is essential for maintaining high service standards for our customers. Seeing these diff erent strengths develop so early on highlights the real value apprentices can bring to a business. They are not just learning – they are already contributing in meaningful ways. The EDA apprenticeship programme has also played an important role in making this possible. One of the biggest advantages for employers is that the EDA takes care of the administration and organisation behind the programme. While there is a fee involved, it is absolutely worth it. Running apprenticeships internally with all the paperwork, coordination and requirements would take a lot of time, and for many busy businesses that simply isn’t realistic.
Through the programme, we know our apprentices are supported not only in the workplace but also in their theory training and development. It gives us confi dence that they are receiving the right education alongside their day-to-day practical experience. For any business
considering apprenticeships, we would defi nitely recommend it. It can sometimes take time to fi nd the right candidates, but it is well worth the eff ort. When you fi nd motivated young people who want to learn and grow, the benefi ts for the business – and for the wider industry – are clear. Our experience since December has shown just how valuable that investment can be. Both apprentices have integrated well into the team and continue to grow in confi dence and capability every week. Supporting young people at the start of their careers is not only rewarding for a business, it is also an important step in securing the long-term future of the electrical wholesale sector.
Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO at the EDA, commented: “The EDA has been running apprenticeship programmes for many years, and we know that the key to success is the commitment from the employer. We love the approach taken by the management at Electrical4Less; Beata and the team trusted their apprentices right from the start, giving them real, value- added work and responsibility. This has a huge impact on the apprentices, building confi dence and making them feel like valued members of the team. It also gave her the opportunity to assess their natural strengths and consider the next steps in their career.”
ewnews.co.uk
May 2026 electrical wholesaler | 27
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