Talent of Tomorrow

Apprentice Adam Barclay was inspired to become an electrician after seeing his dad work in the industry

Hi Adam, what made you think of becoming an electrician?

It was down to my dad who served his time with the council many years ago. He eventually gave up being an electrician, but still did small jobs around the house. I used to watch what he was doing and that got me interested in the job.

Was it difficult to get an apprenticeship?

There were a few places offering apprenticeships and I applied for different options but I felt comfortable with the council so chose them. I started in August 2019.

How have you found it?

Like most things, there are easy parts and harder parts. At the end of the day I’m there to learn. If I ask the right questions and retain the right knowledge over time then the job should become natural to me.

Was the college training what you expected?

It’s been really good and everyone there is very helpful. You get to learn a lot, including things you wouldn’t do with the council. The COVID situation has made things harder – I was off from the end of March until the middle of August. However, you just have to get your head down and get on with it. We’re getting back into the swing of things now.

How about on site?

On the first day I was a bit nervous. It was a different atmosphere – I didn’t know anyone, didn’t know about the job and didn’t know where I’d be going. But you soon get to know people and learn what’s what.

Has there been anything about the job that’s surprised you?

Going from school to being on site is a big change. However, I enjoy learning something new every day and the crucial things are the skills you apply to your work. When you see a job finished, it’s a great feeling to know that it’s something you made happen.

What does the future hold?

As we’ve seen this year, things can change quite dramatically, so it’s hard to say what will happen further down the line. But I’m staying with the council for the foreseeable future. It’s a great place to work and everyone is very welcoming.