Employer Case Studies:
Jamila Flanagan – Case Study
Service Director
Detail Design Engineering Ltd
Why did DDE decide to engage Apprentices?
Throughout the controls industry, finding quality engineers is extremely difficult and is becoming harder year on year. The engineers are generally in the 40+ age group and we recognised the need for new, younger engineers to come through and embrace the new and convectional technologies.
After much deliberation, we realised that engineering as a career is something that isn’t promoted enough within schools, unlike a career in say accountancy for example. Engineering, unfortunately has a few hurdles to overcome to attract talent, these include parents only wanting their children to become accountants, doctors, lawyers etc. and/or the careers advice within schools not understanding what an “engineer” is or does.
DDE wanted to create opportunities for the younger generation, dispel the dull image and get excited about engineering and come to the realisation that engineering can be a fantastic career to pursue. We concluded that as a company, the best way to invest in the controls industry was to invest in the next generation of young talent, and to provide that platform we felt Apprenticeships would be the best way forward.
We choose STEGTA to be our Apprenticeship provider due to the brilliant set up they have at Wellacre Academy. We felt that the engineering ethos was met with their delivery of the Apprenticeships and the training staff understood the criteria of what makes a good engineer, from traditional hands on experience, quality, detail, accuracy, work ethos etc.
Two of the original three directors of DDE came through the engineering Apprenticeships route (many years ago) and two of the new directors were apprentices at DDE themselves. Coincidentally, one of the DDE directors was a student at Wellacre Academy, who then went onto an Apprenticeship in mechanical and production engineering.
How have your Apprentices impacted the business?
DDE have taken on many Apprentices over the years and they have had a major positive impact on the business. Having the new young Apprentices being trained by our senior engineers has brought a freshness and the feeling of a new wave engineers being brought through. Senior engineers are now sharing their skills and knowledge to others who will carry on the baton for the future of engineering.
We also have positive feedback and support from customers regarding DDE and our recruitment of Apprentices. DDE have recently been awarded the BEMS contract for the renovation of Manchester Townhall, a big part of winning the tender was our Apprenticeship development scheme we are also taking on two new Apprentices that are Manchester based as part of the contract.
Actually, as well as the above, DDE train apprentices as it’s the “right thing to do”, for the company, for the Apprentice, for the local community, for the future.
As well as the training included as part of the Apprenticeship, do you offer off the job training opportunities for your Apprentices?
We provide multiple off the job training including product training with Trend, Honeywell etc. specialist BCIA controls fundamental courses and also the H&S courses (first aid, asbestos, ladders, working at height, manual handling). We also provide specialist panel wiring training and hands on industrial electrical installation experience. We also encourage and fund further education whether that may be a HNC or even a Degree.
What kind of support have you received from your Training Officer?
Our STEGTA Training Officer, Dave Smith, has provided brilliant support. Not only does he support the Apprentices, he also supports me to ensure we are aware of what’s required and the exposure/experiences the Apprentices will need to complete their Apprenticeship. We are provided with regular updates, with monthly 1-2-1 meetings, advice and information that we may need to assist the Apprentices.
Dave also provides brilliant support for the Apprentices, understanding the individuals, knowing how to keep them engaged and on top of their Apprenticeship targets and ensuring they were understanding their work. Dave has also attended site visits with the Apprentices to ensure they were ready to attend sites solo. He provides DDE with regular feedback on each Apprentices performance.
Dave also provides support with any issues Apprentices may have at college and any college course work that required completing.
The regular feedback received from the Apprentices regarding Dave’s support was he is always helpful, and they looked forwarded to their 1-2-1’s… he is sound!
Are their progression opportunities available after completing the Apprenticeship at Level 3?
We have had two apprentices, Dane Evans and Lewis Williams who went on to further education. Dane completed and passed his HNC in Electrical/Electronic engineering and Lewis went on to do a Degree in Industrial engineering attaining a 1st. Lewis also won the prestigious “Young Engineer of the Year” Award at the BCIA which is a positive recognition within the controls industry. Fantastic achievements again which were hugely supported by Dave Smith through their individual journeys into further education. We invited Dave along to the award ceremony as a thank you and recognition for his brilliant support and delivery of the Apprenticeship which contributed to creating two young controls engineers that have become a fantastic asset to the DDE Team.
STEGTA are currently providing the support for our latest apprentice addition and he is currently on his way to completing his Level 3 Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician Apprenticeship. Another successful recruit to join the team!