Spec Finish

Skills www.thefis.org 7 look for those who have bags of enthusiasm and who seem excited by our industry.” Paul added that during the selection process, they always keep the company’s future in mind, saying: “I always want to find the next star student who is keen to learn everything the industry has to offer.” We all know that starting a new job can be daunting, particularly when it’s your first one, so we asked Andy and Paul for their tips to help new entrants settle in. Andy said that he always explains to the new starters that it’s not a sprint in this game, it’s more of a marathon, reminding them that ‘every day is a school day’ and even the veterans of the industry learn new things. He said: “We encourage them to ask plenty of questions as that’s the way they learn.” Paul takes each new student under his wing to begin with. “I remember very clearly what my first day here at EE Smith felt like when I was an apprentice, so I assure them that the learning process is a slow one. I encourage them to ask lots of questions, follow senior staff closely and take every bit of knowledge in, because it’s priceless.” Training providers EE Smith works with a number of colleges that provide apprenticeship training, and they have found that it’s imperative to maintain close relationships with them to ensure the most applicable learning experience is available for the apprentice. Andy explained that they only partner with the very best training providers and work closely with the colleges; making frequent visits to the campuses to ensure the delivery of the apprenticeship is a collaborative one. Paul visits the apprentices in college and develops close relationships with their teachers to ensure that he can provide the correct support to meet the students’ needs. He said: “We have regular catch ups and are involved with numerous apprenticeships events (pre-COVID!).” Both Andy and Paul emphasised that this is a formal arrangement with an employment contract between EE Smith Contracts and the apprentice, and a training delivery contract with the college. Nothing is left to chance. The time spent with each apprentice varies throughout their training, depending on what skills they are learning at the time. Andy explained that all their apprentices have a dedicated day-to-day on-site mentor and even though the apprentices will be spread over a number of areas; each with their own team leader and/or supervisor, Paul is always on the shop floor giving advice wherever it’s needed. He also puts on a number of in-house training exercises throughout the two year apprenticeship scheme, adapting them each year to suit their learning. Both Andy and Paul agree that as mentors, they are constantly engaged and the success of each apprentice is reflected in the investment. They give the apprentices a state-of-the-art kit to help them be the very best in their work, and have evolved a set of skills tests for them which they upgrade each year. They also organise annual apprenticeship awards based upon continuous skills assessments. With management approval, Andy developed and implemented the on-site apprenticeship scheme three years ago. He said: “Our role includes revision of college learning, portfolio building and moving apprentices around tasks and sites in order to ensure they get the necessary experience. “It is constant and all-consuming, but seeing people develop and being part of it is rewarding.” An EE Smith site apprentice enjoying work at the iconic Battersea Power Station Paul Kulik with some of the first year bench hand apprentices