Tooled Up 1 | Page 12

on the job Essex Success Apprentices at Chelmsford Electrical are discovering the only way is Essex as they complete Advanced Apprenticeships, move into management and, in the case of Ben Jenkins, win at the JTL Regional Awards. Established in 1970, Chelmsford Electrical has grown into one of Essex’s leading electrical contractors with a team of around 90, contracting throughout Essex, London and the South East. The company has a history of training up local youngsters and has worked with JTL for many years to offer them quality training leading to skilled careers with real prospects. MD Ken Tillbrook says the company is proud to be Essex’s premium provider of electrical building services. “Our service covers design through to completion and aftercare. To ensure we maintain our high standards we need a quality workforce, which is why we’ve always valued apprenticeships.” The company’s apprentices live up to these standards. Last year, Luke Success for Ben Jenkins and Chelmsford Electrical at the JTL Regional Awards Goddard (21) completed his fouryear electrical apprenticeship and was awarded his Electrotechnical Level 3 NVQ from visiting local MP and Transport Minister Simon Burns. This was part of an overall scheme involving MPs interested in supporting apprentices and apprenticeships touring the region to find out more. Mr Burns was shown the company’s inhouse training facilities and had a go at electrical testing – under supervision of course! “There’s a lot of work involved, but it is really well worth it as I now have a great career ahead of me,” said Luke. “Chelmsford Electrical have given me excellent training and vital experience and JTL has supported and guided me through it expertly.” Luke has now been given a new contract by the company and taken on as a full-time electrician. “It’s good that there’s a lot of work here because they’re keeping me on. I’d like to have a look at doing Inspection and Testing with JTL in a couple of years and I wouldn’t mind running my own business at some point,” he added. Another success story is apprentice Ben Jenkins who finished the year in style by successfully completing his apprenticeship and, to top it all, winning the title of Best JTL Apprentice for the East of England (page 8) at our Regional Awards held in November at Duxford Air Museum. Currently, seven apprentices are on Electrotechnical Apprenticeships with Chelmsford Electrical. Over 30 apprentices have achieved full Level 3 Electrotechnical NVQs through Advanced Apprenticeships and many are still with the company, some having progressed to management positions. Luke Goddard (left) with fellow apprentices from Chelmsford Electrical 12