As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we’re sharing the stories of some adi Apprentices – past and present! To kickstart the week, we’re throwing it back to 1974 with, adi’s Apprentice Academy Manager and Project Manager for adi Electrical, Graham Bond, who talks about his journey through the world of engineering.

Having worked with adi for over 20 years and inspiration to other members of staff, Graham actually began his career as an Apprentice in 1974! In this Blog, Graham talks about how he overcame the odds to pursue his dream to become an Electrical Engineer, a career he still enjoys today! In fact, within adi Group and among our customers, Graham has been described as a living legend and on many an occasion it has been overheard “perfect job for Bondy, this” or “Let’s get Bondy to look at this one”. Usually when a challenge lies ahead.

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“Back in 1974, “I know a lifetime ago”, I was looking for an Electrical Apprenticeship. Although my grades from school were not very good and my careers teacher said that I had no chance (!!), this was the career I wanted following in the footsteps of my father In-law Frank Rogers, who worked for Ansells Brewery in Aston Birmingham. Frank was one of the chief electricians and was my inspiration to become an electrician.

After going and sitting endless aptitude tests, I proved my careers teachers wrong, and got the offer of joining 30 other apprentices at NG Baileys (a Leeds based family run Electrical Contracting Company with a Birmingham based facility) where I attended six weeks of college, six weeks on site and then four weeks in the training centre at the Birmingham office having the time of my life.

These were tough times for me having to get to site by myself for 08:00am. At one time I was working on the NEC and Birmingham International station when it was just a field! I had to get up at 05:00am catching two buses and walking three miles carrying my tools to the site cabin – days that I sometimes hated thinking back but always with the drive to see the future and always looking to get the knowledge I needed to move forward and take on the next challenge with many days and nights learning.

One of the things I have found through my career is that you never stop learning and you have to put the work in to achieve what you want, and don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t do the things you want! I have now been working in the Electrical industry since I left school and still love the job I do.”

Interested in an Apprenticeship with adi Group as part of our Apprentice Academy? Take a look at our Current Vacancies page. We’re currently recruiting for Electrical Apprentices in Bournville and Banbury and Business Administration Apprentices at our Head Offices in Kings Norton. https://www.adiltd.co.uk/careers/vacancies/