Adam Boraston, 23 from Coventry, is in the final year of an electrical engineering apprenticeship with Birmingham headquartered multi-disciplinary engineering firm, adi Group.
What led you to choosing the Apprenticeship route into engineering?
I joined adi Group at the age of 20 after struggling to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Before joining adi Group I had been offered a place at a university to study marketing, but changed my mind just before starting as I felt it wasnt right for me and I wanted to do something more hands-on.
What have you learnt during your Apprenticeship with adi Group?
Year One:
I spent my first year on a client site in the Midlands. I worked on the installation of a new block which was perfect experience for someone who is just starting out as you get to see all stages of a full plant installation from empty building to working production line.
Throughout my first year I assisted adi Group electricians with installing containment such as ladder racks and conduits. My Mentor helped me install distribution boards and taught me how to correctly terminate SWA and other cables types. I also achieved my IPAF licence.
By the end of my first year I had developed a good understanding of the types of materials we use on site, risk assessments and method statements and how to follow layout drawings.
I was pleased to end the year by passing all of my first year units at JTL College and achieving my Level 2 in Electrical Installation.
Year Two:
In my second year I progress onto a level 3 qualification in electrical engineering at JTL College. I spent my time at two other sites in the Midlands for one of our clients.
Here I had the chance to experience working with a different team of electricians who focus mainly on network and data installations.
My role as an Apprentice saw me install data cabs and terminating data sockets and install and terminate fibre optic cables under supervision. Throughout the year I became more confident installing containment, terminating cables and following drawings without as much assistance.
Year Three:
In my final year, I moved sites again and had the unique opportunity to work on site at a new plant being built in Coventry. My team and I were responsible for installing all of the power and lighting to the new plant. I even gained enough confidence to take the lead on a few installations.
Throughout the year I installed ladder racks and cable trays, mounted and terminated distribution boards, installed luminaires and lighting circuits and, fitted office blocks with sockets and smart lighting.
By the end of my third year I had developed a good understanding of inspection and testing of electrical circuits as well as filling out the correct documents and the importance of a customers needs and requirements.
Whats next for you once you complete your Apprenticeship at adi Group?
I am hoping to take my AM2 test at JTL College in late March 2018. After that I will be a qualified electrician. I would like to continue to work for adi Group post-Apprenticeship. It would give me a chance to repay adi Group I for all they have done for me over the course of my apprenticeship. But if this is not possible then it would be an opportunity to broaden my horizons elsewhere and maybe one day in the future return to adi Group with the skills and knowledge I have gained elsewhere. Looking further into the future I hope to become qualified in inspection and testing to become an Approved Electrician, progress to supervising and quoting for jobs.
What advice do you have for anyone currently doing an Apprenticeship?
My advice to current and aspiring apprentices would be:
Never be afraid to ask questions.
Use your mentors for advice, they have years of experience and you will learn a lot from them.
Put pride and passion into every task you do, it does not go unnoticed.
Take notes whenever being taught something, you may thank yourself later for doing so.
Learn from your mistakes so you do not repeat them
For more information about adi Group apprenticeships and careers please visit www.adiltd.co.uk/careers.