Where there’s a Will there’s a way
Posted by: electime 25th September 2019
An apprentice at South West electrical wholesaler Devondale is one of the first in the country to complete a new apprenticeship.
Will Messenger completed the Trade Supplier Apprenticeship Level 2 this summer; the qualification only became available in April 2018 through the EDA Apprenticeship Service, which is run and managed by EDA Apprenticeships Plus.
Created by wholesalers for wholesalers and led by trade body the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA), this new apprenticeship offers businesses in England access to professional training in all aspects of today’s merchant operation.
Passing a Level 2 apprenticeship is equivalent to 5 GCSEs – but even more impressively, Will was awarded top marks in his final exams to achieve a distinction. This means he not only passed every component but exceeded expectations in some assessed components.
Will sat the exams in August and didn’t learn about his success until he returned from holiday. He was then offered a full-time job at Devondale’s Torquay branch and is now part-way through his three month probation period.
He says is looking forward to becoming a permanent member of the team. “It’s a good atmosphere to work in and I enjoy getting to know customers and be able to advise them.
“I think that Devondale having younger employees like me is a good way of encouraging the next generation of electricians to become customers!”
Devondale Managing Director, Paul Wood said: “We’re all delighted for Will’s success and pleased that he wants to continue his journey with Devondale.
“Electrical wholesaling offers long-term career prospects – we’re always keen to hear from young people interested in joining us as apprentices.”
The Trade Supplier apprenticeship is ideal for businesses like Devondale as it is tailored specifically for new recruits to B2B wholesalers or merchant businesses involved in selling goods and services between manufacturers and skilled trade customers. Will’s apprenticeship was managed through the EDA’s Apprenticeship Service, which is delivered by partners EDA Apprenticeships Plus.
