As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we have been sharing some of our current apprentice’s stories and how they got involved in engineering and their experiences so far as members of the adi Apprentice Academy. In today’s blog, we speak to adi Electrical’s Tom Jennings, who began his career as an Electrical Engineer through JTL. Tom has worked his way up to becoming a key member of the adi Electrical team taking on the role of Electrical Supervisor.

What apprenticeship did you do and how long did it take to complete?
I did an electrical apprenticeship with JTL. I think it took me 4 years to complete, 3 years doing block release at college and 1 year full time whilst I completed my NVQ.

During your apprenticeship what kinds of projects did you support and what type of work did you undertake on a daily basis?
I supported all kinds of jobs in truth as I went to work for the out of town team all over the country. This covered a wide range of projects from commercial installations installing lighting and power for an Outdoor Clothing and Footwear chain in Covent Garden, Brecon & Norwich to installations within the food process industry at food manufacturing companies in Scunthorpe and Leeds installing new ammonia plants.

In my final year, I spent the majority of my time working for Dave Gossage (adi Facilities Management) at Marlbrook completing my NVQ and looking after my own small installations which were predominantly automating the plant and upgrading the site fire alarms.

What made you decide to do an Apprenticeship?
I actually started at college doing a BTEC in Sports Science as I that’s what I used to enjoy doing when I was growing up. It came to a point where I realised I had enough of being in a classroom doing education and I quit because I wanted to be more involved with something. My brother was an electrician and I saw that he was enjoying himself and earning good money so I basically went down the route of an electrical apprenticeship.

How has completing an Apprenticeship benefitted you in your career so far?
It has benefitted me massively having the technical experience and communication skills to deliver major electrical installation projects such as a major upgrade in Sweden for a large chocolate manufacturer for adi Automation.

What is your role now after completing an Apprenticeship?
Electrical Supervisor.

What advice would you give to youngsters looking into engineering apprenticeships?
Just show willingness and be eager. Any engineer will always help someone who is willing to learn. Oh and don’t be afraid to make a mistake – we all make them!

For more information about adi Group apprenticeships and careers please visit www.adiltd.co.uk/careers.