Why this apprentice should be Apprentice of the Year? What makes this apprentice stand out?

Callum has lived in a Riverside Housing Group property and first discovered his passion for all things electrical while watching Riverside’s Evolve Electricians at work in his home. He asked questions about the profession and was determined to pursue a career in the trade, getting in touch with Riverside’s Employment and Training Team. Previously, he had been supporting a family member who is a Plumber, demonstrating to Riverside his desire for a Trade career. A year into his apprenticeship, he continues to demonstrate the same levels of enthusiasm and willingness. He has quickly become a key member of the Electrical team and a role model for other apprentices. His college is delighted with his progress.

An example where this apprentice has shown commitment to learning at college and another where they've shown commitment to learning in the workplace.

Callum has shown an advanced level of learning capability and is already solving technical issues on jobs that some experienced Electricians would struggle with. His ‘can do’ attitude means that no issue stands in his way for long, and the skills and knowledge he is building along the way have helped him to build a strong portfolio of evidence that will count towards his qualification. He has received great reviews from his College teachers and has passed all of his exams with ease. He takes every opportunity to learn and develop his skills and regularly volunteering for overtime to gain more experience and to ensure he has the required evidence for his college portfolio. Callum requests opportunities to work on different workstreams to gain experience of different skillsets and ways of working to meet the needs of college assignments. He ensures he is up to date on electrical regulations and codes.

A scenario, where this apprentice applied the knowledge, skills, and behaviours they've learned, and how they did this

Callum – Over the past year, he has worked across a number of workstreams, including Day to Day repairs and the kitchen installation programme. These workstreams present different electrical challenges that Callum has worked through effectively, resulting in him acquiring a broad knowledge of electrical processes and procedures. He puts his learning into practice on a daily basis in Riverside’s most technical department, the EICR Electrical Testing Project. This requires Callum to test and find faults in electrical systems, including cables, switches, sockets, and other accessories. He uses these skills to carry out visual inspections to detect potential electrical issues and is also able to check hidden cables and wires. Experienced colleagues have confirmed that he is able to carry out these tests to a professional standard, ensuring that each property is compliant and conforms to high levels of safety standards.

What evidence shows this apprentice takes Health & Safety and Compliance seriously?

Callum has completed all relevant H&S training as required for his role, consistently shows that he applies this learning while on site, demonstrating a great understanding of the importance of working safely and compliantly. He is also keen to develop his skills and understanding in identifying asbestos, proactively working on this area to ensure he is fully competent. His time working on the EICR electrical testing programme also demonstrates he has a thorough understanding of how vital health and safety is in his role, and what could happen if compliance is not taken seriously.

Apprentice's top three relevant personal qualities

Callum:

• Honesty about the work completed, any support he needs or questions he has.
• Positive work ethic – a willingness to complete any task presented to him.
• Appetite for learning – he is passionate about self-development and improving his knowledge.

How has this apprentice shown commitment to their own personal development and progression?

Callum’s goal is to complete his apprenticeship and become a fully qualified Electrician. He reads electrical magazines to be familiar with different types of tools and work processes. He has also passed his driving test because he recognised the importance of having over 12 months’ experience of driving a vehicle (a requirement for a substantive employee to work on their own after their apprenticeship). He has volunteered for overtime to ensure he has more opportunities to gain practical experience and has also completed all mandatory learning within his role. He regularly looks to further develop his skills, making the most of his strong relationships with experienced colleagues to learn from them.

How has this apprentice inspired others?

Callum has been a positive role model for the other apprentices in the Electrical team and Evolve because he is quick to learn, is progressing at college and has got his driving licence. He may also be able to complete his apprenticeship early due to his hard work. He recorded a video for the Employment and Training Team to inspire others who are considering an apprenticeship or a trade career.

How does this apprentice contribute to the vision and goals of your organisation?

Callum demonstrates Riverside’s values (We are Trusted; We Care and We are Inclusive) each day. In line with Riverside’s Vision, he delivers ‘a great service and keeps customers safe, no matter where they live’, using his experience of living in a Riverside home to ensure other customers receive the best possible service, are fully informed and are treated with respect in their homes. Through his detailed knowledge of its safety processes and procedures, he is committed to keeping customers safe. He has a positive influence on the way the company portrays itself to its customers by presenting himself well and always carrying out tasks a high standard. Despite only being with the company a little over a year, he has already established himself as a key part of the team. Callum understands the part he plays to help the business to achieve its goals and how positive customer interaction impacts customer satisfaction scores. He is also aware of the compliance measures in place and how he can contribute to this through the EICR electrical testing programme.