What is it like to be an apprentice electrician on a residential project?

Josh Hanmore is an NVQ Level 3 apprentice electrician working on a residential construction project for our client, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Josh studied his Level 2 & 3 electrical installations NVQ at New City College in Tower Hamlets. Jerram Falkus staff were delivering a career talk at the college and met Josh there. Recognising that Josh was a proactive student and very keen to pursue his career, Jerram Falkus introduced him to sub-contractors, Harveys. Josh was then taken on by Harveys as an apprentice – and the rest is history!

Josh is now working and studying for his full electrical qualifications, with Harveys’ support, at a Jerram Falkus site on Shetland Road in East London. A typical working day for Josh comprises him working on installing trunking and conduit on the new build site. Josh is keen to extend and improve his knowledge and is determined to be a fully qualified electrician as soon as he can.

The journey from apprentice to qualified electrician…

Josh said: “It feels like a long studying journey – 2 years at college seems an age, but this goes really quick and now I’m working, it feels great. Both the NVQ Levels 2 & 3 were really relevant to my work now, so I am pleased I stuck to it! New City College has given me the exact knowledge and skills I needed for this role. It’s great being able to think independently and be a valued member of a team. I love my job and with every task, I undertake I step back and look at it and I feel real pride in what I have achieved. Working for a smaller company has its advantages – I have greater flexibility for training as I am being given more opportunities to learn my trade. I cannot thank Harvey’s enough for their support and faith in me.”

How does Harveys support young talent?

Alan Kinehan, Director at Harveys said: “Harveys was started by one person in 1964 and has grown steadily by training and shaping apprentices, like Josh, into talented young engineers. Our current crop of 25 apprentices have been selected from local schools, colleges and recommendations from many Counties and Boroughs throughout the South East. We have found Josh eager and enthusiastic and hope he will be part of our team for many years to come. Harveys are proud to support Jerram Falkus’ desire to train and enrich the young talent in the areas we are helping to develop and improve. Our future is now, as it always has been, in the hands of the next generation.”

What advice would Josh give to aspiring apprentices?

Josh’s advice for someone wanting to become an apprentice is that you need to be prepared to study and suffer the pain barrier of having a low income for a while – apprenticeship wages are not the best. Keep your eye on your long-term goal – with dedication and hard work, you’re going to be qualified in the next to no time!

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