to make someone’s journey easier than mine and open up some doors, then I’m going to do it as much as I can. “I genuinely love our industry and without


new people coming on board and receiving good- quality training we will see huge problems in the not-too-distant future. Sanitation and warmth are critical to every building, and plumbing and heating is something that is often taken for granted. We need to ensure our industry isn’t devalued and continues to operate at the highest level possible - this can only happen if we have a strong supply of good-quality engineers. “T e pandemic has caused so many apprentices


to be made redundant, courses cancelled or their education paused. I receive so many CVs each week, each accompanied by their own sad journey about how individuals have been let down or left completely in limbo. T is generation could be lost if something isn’t done to help.” Eamon Wilson is the Managing Director of EAS


Mechanical Limited, and they match apprentices with Plumbing and Gas Solutions Limited and many other companies within the plumbing, electrical, heating and ventilation and gas industries.


“We’ve been working with Carl and the team for over three years


now after they approached us with their requirements for taking on new apprentices. As a business that’s keen to grow, it’s clear how passionate they are about growing and training their apprentices. We know their recruits receive a great all-round experience working on a wide range of complex systems. Our sector has always seen areas in which it’s hard to recruit experienced engineers, so for businesses like PGS Limited, that are developing their own, there are signifi cant benefi ts to be gained in the long term. “Despite the drop in starts and uncertainty for the apprenticeship


sector as a whole, we have actually seen an uptake in companies taking on apprentices within our industry and in some cases, we have had to turn people away due to our courses being full. It will be interesting to see the latest fi gures when they are released in terms of national intake numbers.” Harvey Radcliff e, from Kettering, started his apprenticeship with


Carl during the pandemic after being let down several times by other companies. “I was keen to get experience in a real working environment which


Harvey Radcliff e Apprentice at Plumbing and Gas Solutions Limited.


is why I decided to pursue the apprenticeship route,” he said. “After being let down several times and not managing to start previous apprenticeships I contacted Carl at PGS Limited, and he off ered me an apprenticeship in Heating and Ventilation Industrial and Commercial Installation which I started in November 2020. “I love being able to learn while working and to be trained by skilled engineers that give me help and support on a day-to- day basis. At the end of my two-year apprenticeship I’d like to become a fully trained engineer.” Carl added: “I honestly can’t recommend taking on


apprentices enough. Employing the right apprentice who is keen, hungry and passionate to learn gives the whole business a boost. By giving that person a real start in their career, it not only gives you a good feeling for helping someone but also gives the business a team member that appreciates what your company has done for them. As they progress through diff erent roles you end up with a colleague that is dedicated to your cause, understands your values and is motivated because they can see they have a clear path to progression.” It’s unclear what the long-term impact will be on


apprenticeships but it’s obvious that there is a great deal of optimism that they remain a crucial strategy for many forward-thinking companies like Plumbing and Gas Solutions Limited. Once there is more clarity on actions for post lockdown, we may see more companies turning their attention to skills development plans and investing in the next generation of vital talent. Carl has used the disruption of COVID to rethink


and reshape his business and recently launched a sister company – Facilities Management Solutions. Like with Plumbing and Gas Solutions Limited he intends to continue to support apprentices and will be developing further schemes and opportunities within this new business.


To fi nd out more about the many ways Carl and the team give back to the local community they support visit www.plumbgassolutions.co.uk/ or call Carl on 01908 104555.


ALL THINGS BUSINESS 19


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