#askSCOTT - Question 2 - Apprenticeship

I've been in the electrical trade since 1992 and started my first business in 1996. Over the years I've been asked many business related questions from family, friends and colleagues, so #AskSCOTT is my new weekly question and answer post which I'm hoping will help provide helpful business information and advice to some readers.
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If you have a business related question you think I may be able to help with then please email me.

#askSCOTT
Question 2 - Is an electrical apprenticeship worthwhile and how do I apply?

Successful London based businessman Charlie Mullins of Pimlico Plumbers who I met a few years ago is a big advocate of apprenticeships and he sums it up correctly when he says "Get an Apprenticeship - It's the way forward to a skilled career for life."

As I mentioned in Question 1 of #AskSCOTT I served my 4 year apprenticeship at Stirling firm Alex Brewster Electrical in what was a thoroughly enjoyable time. I even won apprentice of the year in 1993 - I just had to get that in to this post ;-) 

Those that dismiss a trade apprenticeship are wrong to do so, I believe and importantly know that a good trade apprenticeship will not only provide the necessary practical and theory knowledge of in my case electrical systems but working at a young age in homes, building sites and business premises with seasoned skilled tradespeople will provide a good insight to life and will gain you much needed common sense awareness that perhaps for some people can be missing from a university education. 

Used correctly with the proper attitude I know that by gaining a trade qualification it will give you an opportunity for life if applied correctly. 

​In Scotland to apply for an electrical apprenticeship you need to contact SECTT - the Scottish Electrical Charitable Electrical Training Trust and apply for a Pre-Employment Assessment.

Once you have been successful in this short exam your name will be passed onto employers who have expressed an interest in taking on an apprentice for the forthcoming year. It is also a good idea to start contacting companies with your details and CV once you have passed the SECTT test.

The college year begins in August/September each year so applying and sitting your pre-employment test in early Spring is a good idea as most companies look to trial apprentices over the summer period before making a decision to employ anyone in the Autumn for the start of the college term.

Leave a message below if you have any questions relating to apprenticeships in Scotland and I will answer if I can.

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