Investing in the industry of tomorrow

Livingston Building Services reveals why apprentices are so vital for the future and highlights the big difference they can make to a business

If you don’t have fresh talent coming through the ranks you stand still. And when you stand still you get overtaken by your competitors.

That’s the philosophy embraced by Andy Russell, Operations Director at Livingston Building Services’ base, as he outlined the firm’s attitude towards apprenticeships.

“Apprenticeships are vital,” he said. “These young people are the future of the business. At Livingston, we have a good reputation for training and development within the industry. We want to maintain that and build on it. Our apprentices are key to success.”

Ten-year plan

Andy explained how former apprentices had made their mark with the company. “Several have gone on to new roles including being part of our estimating team. Others have taken their building services degree and become project managers. One former apprentice has recently been promoted to contracts manager.”

This is in line with the firm’s strategy to promote from within. There is a ten-year plan with the ultimate aim to have 70% of the senior management team having come through the business. “As part of that we need to bring in and develop apprentices and graduates,” said Andy.

“At Livingston there are opportunities across the board, especially as we are a subsidiary company to Morris & Spottiswood Ltd.”

Recruitment aim

This focus on development is reflected in this year’s goal to take on more apprentices than usual. According to Andy, the company normally recruits between two and four electrical apprentices and two mechanical apprentices every year. However, in 2022, a period of growth means Livingston will take on up to six electrical apprentices.

Andy said: “In other years I’d wait until May to start getting apprentices in, but I already have one person starting as a pre-apprentice, and we intend advertising and interviewing in March for our 2022 intake. We have also reserved college spaces in advance. I want to get ahead of the curve because I know that come May/June, every business will be looking for apprentices.

“There’s a massive labour shortage across industry for a variety of reasons, including COVID and Brexit.

“Some foreign workers have gone home and businesses haven’t been bringing through the right number of apprentices.”

Even greater reason to bring on more young people and make sure they get the right training. At Livingston that means getting involved in a wide variety of projects, from factories to banks, offices, and hospitals. “It’s that type of varied experience that improves their skills in the trade,” said Andy.

Structure and support

Equally important is good support from SECTT. “I must admit the relationship we have with SECTT is fantastic,” he said. “A lot of our management team have come through the apprenticeship programme and know many of the people at SECTT from being in the industry. They’re great. If there are ever any issues you just need to contact them for advice and support.

“We work strictly under the SJIB agreement which keeps a uniform pay and rule structure across the team.”

Andy works closely with the colleges and SECTT to make sure all is running smoothly with the company’s apprentices. He receives regular reports and training officers are often on site carrying out reviews.

Internally, the company conducts its own assessments every three months ensuring the apprentices get the required support and guidance.

Andy said: “Apprentices really have to knuckle down and focus. I keep close to them to make sure they are getting the correct training and developing in line with their development plan.

If they are struggling, we give them support to get things moving in the right direction.

“When all’s said and done, our apprentices carry the future of our business in their hands. Properly managed, the modern apprenticeship allows them to get the vital skills, knowledge and experience they need. That’s why I’d have no hesitation in recommending it.”

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Training in a trade the best choice for charley

Charley Welch’s decision to turn her back on a university degree to learn a trade instead was, she says, an unusual but excellent decision.

Charley, 22, is a Stage 3 electrical apprentice. She is a woman in a traditionally male world, but says her gender has never been an issue.

“Everybody in Livingston has been brilliant. We have a wide range of people and they’ve all been really good to me. At times I’m the only female on a site with 30, 40 or 50 people and I just don’t notice. You get the occasional person saying, ‘My God, there’s a lassie on site’. But everyone I’ve met has congratulated me on being a spark.”

This was not Charley’s first career choice. Initially she had a place at Edinburgh Napier University to study biomedical science. However, a visit to the university’s open days convinced Charley that student life wasn’t for her.

Fortunately, her dad used to work for Morris & Spottiswood. He was able to speak to Andy Russell at Livingston, and eventually it was suggested Charley try a pre-apprenticeship course at West College Scotland, Clydebank Campus. That proved a success and Charley moved on to a full-time apprenticeship with Livingston immediately after.

That was June 2018. There followed experiences including fitouts for major developments by Diageo and G4S. The latter provided a boost for Charley’s confidence. She said: “The supervisor was Chris Callaghan who is well respected across the Livingston team and I give him so much credit. He pushed me out of my comfort zone.”

Charley added: “The prospect of another three to five years in an educational environment was daunting. But I feel like I’ve just slotted into where I was meant to be. Now, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”

Charley’s keen to get experience off site and in the office and will be completing her first year of an HNC in electrical engineering course in June.

Charley said: “I’d recommend the apprenticeship, 100%. Everyone says it’s great to have a trade behind you. That’s so true, and when you work for a good company it’s even better. We need more people in the industry. And it would be fantastic if some of them were women.”

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Quick facts

MEMBER: Livingston Building Services Ltd

BASED: Livingston

PHONE: 01506 442 669

WEBSITE: livingstonme.co.uk