The Focus Training Group is a fantastic organisation which without it I wouldn't be where I am today.
I started as an apprentice electrician in 2009 with Mitie Engineering in Cornwall, after a few years doing marine engineering when leaving school. When I saw the opportunity to become an electrical apprentice I jumped at it and haven’t looked back since. I was lucky enough at Mitie to work on many big commercial/industrial installations throughout the county which was a fantastic experience and helped me gain the skills I have today.
I went to The Focus Training Group in Redruth as a JTL apprentice, one day per week with the other four days being onsite and learning the trade. I was at The Focus Training Group for three years in total learning all the academic side of electrical works which I really enjoyed. At the end of my apprenticeship I was lucky enough to make it through to the final of the JTL Apprentice of the year final for the south west.
Shortly after becoming qualified I was made redundant by Mitie engineering who shut down the Cornwall office and all their works. I then went and worked for some small companies carrying out all different types of electrical works within Cornwall, until I found myself given the right opportunity to push myself to the next level.
I now find myself at Cornwall Housing as the Electrical QS. I am responsible for signing off all the internal electrical works, surveying works and managing a small team of electricians. I now find myself currently carrying out my 2396 design course with The Focus Training Group, which will allow me to hopefully move forward yet again in my career.
The Focus Training Group is a fantastic organisation which without it, I wouldn't be where I am today. They have fantastic tutors who are knowledgeable and give the time to help you learn and understand everything needed. I couldn’t recommend them enough.
Matt Julian – Electrical QS, Cornwall Housing
Electrical Apprentice Case Study
I started my career properly in electrics towards the beginning of 2017. I had looked at a few different career choices once I had left school, however it took me a while to find out what I really wanted to do. There were a few things about electrics that drew me in, the main one being that I enjoy meeting new people and love the idea of working hands on all of the time. My biggest influence for my career choice is down to the customers, when you complete a job there is no greater feeling than that of a happy and thankful customer.
My electrical apprenticeship is a three to four year apprenticeship with Cornwall Housing whilst studying at The Focus Training Group. My love for electrics gives me the motivation to work hard and enables me to learn from some very knowledgeable fully qualified electricians. Whilst learning from both The Focus Training Group and the electricians at work, I feel like I have learnt a vast amount of information and practical skills within the workplace. When I first started with both The Focus Training Group and Cornwall Housing, I thought that I understood a wide variety of electrics as it was, but it wasn’t until I started my apprenticeship that I realised there was still so much that I needed to be taught. It is a very rewarding career choice for me and I feel that life as an electrician will never be the same each day, every day is different.
I find myself excited about the prospects of becoming fully qualified and also where the career may take me. If I were asked what I wanted to do in school, I would not have any idea. However, once I spoke to the college and my workplace and found out more information about the job and what it entails to be an apprentice, it really helped me get stuck in. I look forward to my progression not only at college, but at work also. It is true what they say, you never stop learning.
Apprenticeships in my opinion are the best way to go as you are able to work, study and get paid all at the same time.
Josh Taylor, 2nd Year Electrical Apprentice with The Focus Training Group
