SECTT and SELECT release its latest industry podcast

Apprentices from both ends of the electrical training journey have once again revealed their behind the scenes secrets in the second episode of the new industry podcast from the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) and electrical trade association, SELECT.

The latest instalment of ‘Sparks’ Remarks’ features the thoughts of five youngsters as they reflect on their first year of training, discuss how much they’ve learned and compare notes on their progress in both self-confidence and practical skills.

The episode – entitled ‘More than wires and pliers: My first year as an apprentice’ – also hears from three fourth year apprentices who are now setting their sights on rewarding careers beyond the lecture rooms of West Lothian College as they prepare to put their training into practice. Both groups talk frankly about their experience at college and on site, the complexity of the courses and the support they have received from the dedicated trainers guiding them.

The first half of the podcast once again catches up with first year learners, Fay Greens and Mason Arthurs, who work for West Lothian Council, Nick Anderson of Glasgow Rewires, Robbie Super of Everwarm, and Aaron Muir from Westrigg Electrical Services.

The trainees reveal their progress and how they have advanced from not being able to hold a screwdriver properly to taking part in domestic installations.

One says, “I didn’t realise at the start just how much an electrician has to do but I’ve now learned how to do a complete installation, taking the skills from the workshop into a real life situation and testing everything to make sure it is safe and working properly.”

Another reveals, “The variety of work has really surprised me and we’ve learned about design as well as practical work and how measurements have to be 100% accurate, you really have to do things correctly all the time.”

Aimed at existing and would-be apprentices, ‘Sparks’ Remarks’ also features three apprentices at the other end of their training who are in their fourth year and now looking forward to a challenging career both at home and further afield.

One tells the podcast, “While the first year focuses on domestic work, I have now progressed to commercial and industrial installations, and I have recently been involved in the complete wiring of a warehouse. We also work on new tech, such as rechargers.”

Another says, “Some people struggle with the science, but you just have to listen to the lecturers. They expect a lot of you, but there is no need to be embarrassed or afraid to ask questions – they are there to help you.”

The podcast comes during a record year for electrical apprenticeships in Scotland, with 934 apprentices and adult trainees recruited for the 2022/23 intake and extra financial support secured for the 2023/24 intake after lobbying by SELECT, SECTT, the SJIB and Unite the Union.

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