Meet James Pearson. He has been a valued member of our team for 12 years and has always been committed to developing his skills and knowledge in the electrical industry. He recently decided to take his career to the next level by enrolling in an adult electrical apprenticeship programme.Â
“I left school in the 1990s and was fortunate to get onto an electrical apprenticeship scheme. The aim of the scheme was to qualify as a JIB Electrician, but unfortunately, due to illness, I did not complete the apprenticeship.
Luckily for me, in those days it was possible to work as an electrician without the JIB qualification. However, in today’s industry, formal recognition requires a JIB Gold Card.
Fast forward to 2011, and I started working for UK Electrical (UKE), who required all of their electricians to have JIB-graded qualifications. UKE approached Birmingham Electrical Training (BET) to see if there was any way for me to get qualified, despite being too old for an apprenticeship.
Thankfully, BET had just launched its new adult apprenticeship programme and UKE encouraged me to enrol. Unlike normal apprenticeships, adult apprenticeships are not fully funded by the Government and cost around £2500, so I was grateful when UKE offered to help me fund it.
As an adult apprentice, I didn’t have to go to college, as I already had years of on-the-job experience. Instead, to achieve the NVQ level 3, I had to create a portfolio of evidence demonstrating my understanding of projects from design to completion and competence in the workplace. Throughout the process, I received fantastic support from my training officer at BET and my employer.
It took about 18 months to complete, and I had to pass the 3-day practical AM2 exam at the end to finally obtain my JIB Gold Card. Achieving the Gold Card was an amazing feeling, and my confidence has been boosted more than I ever imagined.
Since passing, I have gone on to complete the City & Guilds Test & Inspection, and my SSSTS, also encouraged by UKE. I now feel much more confident running sites and managing people.
I highly recommend the adult apprenticeship to anyone who was in the same position as me. If you’re seeking a formal qualification in the electrical industry, the adult apprenticeship is a great option. I cannot thank my employer, UK Electrical, and training provider, Birmingham Electrical Training, enough for their encouragement and support.”
James continues to go from strength to strength in his career, always exceeding expectations. Richard Black, Project Manager at Winvic said:
“James is a great lad, who cares about what he is doing and his work and more importantly about what the others in his team are doing. There’s always great communication with James. If there is ever an issue it can be worked out, I have never seen him flustered or panicked. Never any problems, only solutions.”
James’Â journey is a great example of how investing in your education and skills can pay off in the long run. By taking the initiative to enroll in an adult apprenticeship programme. He has not only gained a recognised qualification but has also increased his confidence and knowledge in the field.
As an employer, we are proud to have supported James throughout his journey and to have been a part of his success. We are excited to see what the future holds for him and look forward to seeing him continue to grow and thrive in his career.
