Kieren Kirwan, 22 from Shard End in Birmingham, is in the final year of an Electrical installation apprenticeship with multi-disciplinary engineering firm, adi Group, which has a base in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham.
What led you to choosing the Apprenticeship route into engineering?
I started my journey with adi Automotive Services in 2013 at the age of 18 after finishing a two year course in electrical installations at a previous college.
What have you learnt during your Apprenticeship with adi Group?
Year One:
In my first year I achieved a level 2 in electrical installation at JTL College.
I spent the first year on one of our client sites getting hands on with the tools and assisting electricians installing containment and power circuits. I also acted as a banksman for cherry pickers and scissor lifts.
My experiences in first year taught me about the importance of each team members role and how to apply what I learned at college to real life projects on site. I also got to learn about the steps taken to compete an installation as well as risk assessment and method statements.
Year Two:
In my second year I started my level 3 technical qualification in electrical engineering at JTL college. On site with the adi Automotive Services team I began to undertake more technical work as the result of the skills and confidence gained in the first year of my apprenticeship.
Building on from the first year I progressed on to being trusted to do small jobs by myself and understanding the project management side of the installations we were carrying out. I also had the chance to work on various sites gaining insights into how other sites operate differently.
Year Three:
In my third year I completed my level 3 technical qualification in electrical Installation at JTL college. My role and skills progressed further to producing lighting layouts for vehicle inspection booths and dealing with customers. On site I also gained the confidence to deliver tool box talks to my fellow colleagues.
Whats next for you once you complete your Apprenticeship at adi Group?
With my Apprenticeship coming to an end, I would love the opportunity to be offered a full time job and repay adi Group for the time, effort and faith they have placed in me. I would like to be offered the chance to become a site foreman as I feel the skills I have learnt on my Apprenticeship would equip me perfectly for this role.
What advice do you have for anyone currently doing an Apprenticeship?
Use your mentors for advice, they have an abundance of knowledge to impart and more often than not enjoy helping you understand.
Asking questions to your peers is key in understanding your job role, the only stupid question is the one not asked!
Always give a 100% effort and commitment in every task you put your mind to
Use a notepad to write down anything new youve learnt
Learn outside of work about your chosen field and expand your knowledge to have a greater understanding of your job role.
For more information about adi Group apprenticeships and careers please visit www.adiltd.co.uk/careers.