Two young men from Caerphilly say that securing apprenticeships at a local building services engineering firm has changed their lives for the better.
Curtis Rees, aged 20, from Machen and Ross Wilkes, aged 19, from Caerphilly, secured apprenticeships with Tredomen-based SCS Group after impressing management with their hunger for learning and problem-solving abilities.
The pair will now study for a four year national apprenticeship in electrical engineering at Coleg Morgannwg while being employed by the firm, which is one of the UK’s leading providers of ventilation, building management and smoke control solutions.
Curtis, who previously worked in a supermarket, had been searching for a suitable apprenticeship for months before being accepted onto the SCS Group scheme.
He said: “I knew after leaving school that I wanted a career, not just a job. I have always been interested in the electrical industry and was over the moon that SCS Group gave me a chance to prove myself. This means I can study for a qualification while learning the tricks of the trade. I’ve already learned so much and can’t wait to get stuck into my studies.”
Ross, who joined SCS Group after completing A Levels in IT and Electronics, had been put off going to University by the prospect of debt.
He said: “I wanted to ‘earn and learn’ and feel lucky to have found an apprenticeship in my ideal career so close to home. I have already been working onsite on projects such as Westfield Shopping Centre which is a real education in how building services are delivered on the ground.
“Working with the engineers at the SCS Group has been such a fantastic experience. Being given the apprenticeship has changed my life because it’s going to allow me to earn money and improve my future prospects. I’m looking forward to starting my course and eventually running my own projects.”
Managing Director of SCS Group Allan Meek said: “We are pleased to be able to offer these opportunities to two very promising young men. It is increasingly difficult for young people to find meaningful employment, but it is in our commercial interest to help foster the next generation of building services talent. Curtis and Ross have already made an impression and we are looking forward to supporting them in their studies.”