As reported in the Newark Advertser:
When electrician James Burton was looking for a promising apprentice he knew just the place to go — the college where he had received his own training.
James started his career as a 16-year-old apprentice, combining work with a local company with study at Newark College.
He worked with an electrical team, gaining experience, but wanted to continue his training to be fully qualified so in 2010 returned to college.
He completed a City and Guilds level two and three to gain the technical qualifications and an NVQ level three, proving his technical competence, studying two evenings a week for three years.
In 2014 he set up Newark-based Vis Electrical Ltd, electrical contractors and electricians, with fellow electrician Daniel Rose who had also completed the same training at the college, starting a year earlier.
The company’s third partner is Chris Hampson, who previously worked with them as a sub-contractor.
They now have up to a dozen employees and sub-contractors, including adult trainees Sam Bunch and Daniel Lale.
James said when they decided to take on an apprentice they turned to David Inger, lecturer in electrical installations, for help
He suggested Keenan Faherty, 18, of Balderton.
Keenan has been studying at Newark College for two years after leaving Newark Academy and has completed a two-year City and Guilds level two and three course and is now working towards his NVQ level three.
He said he was pleased to be offered the opportunity.
“I have always wanted to be an electrician,” said Keenan.
“It is great to be given the chance to get the experience on lots of different jobs.”
The company has recently donated equipment to the college to help the electrical installations department, which has been matched by wholesalers Eyre and Ellison on Brunel Drive, Newark.
Mr Inger said it was rewarding to see a firm with current and former students doing so well.
He said there was always a market for electricians, with students coming from all walks of life to retrain including ex-Servicemen, professional footballers, and care workers.
“This is a course that leads to careers,” he said. “There are many courses including joinery, cabinet- making and bricklaying that are all being done at Newark.”
See our range of electrical courses available at college.
