Faz Hussain, Lewis Jones and Pete Woods |
A former
apprentice who is now a director of a multi-million pound turnover business is backing
this year’s National Apprenticeship Week.
Pete Woods,
operations director at contractor J Tomlinson, began his career in construction
in 1994 as an apprentice joiner. Twenty years later he was appointed as a
director at the Nottingham-based company, having worked for J Tomlinson since
2000.
He now has
the responsibility for the regeneration division at the company and the
delivery of its contracts, at a time when the firm is experiencing
unprecedented growth.
During National
Apprenticeship Week 2016 – which has the theme of ‘rising to the top’ – Pete
and J Tomlinson are shining a spotlight on the opportunities that
apprenticeships can create.
“I left
school with no GCSEs. The training and support I received as part of my
apprenticeship gave me the skills, confidence and building blocks for a career
that has taken me from an apprentice joiner at a small design and build company
in Nottingham to a senior position at J Tomlinson, now one of the most
successful, growing contractors in the East Midlands,” said Pete.
“Just like
me, there are many people who prefer a more hands-on approach to learning and
skills development that doesn’t involve sitting in a classroom all the time.
Undertaking an apprenticeship can benefit them greatly.”
Running
from 14th to 18th March, National Apprenticeship Week is
coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service and is designed to celebrate
apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses
and the wider economy.
“J Tomlinson is
currently supporting more than 20 apprentices and trainees within our company,
providing the funding and support to help them work towards professional
qualifications,” said Pete.
“We are continually
looking for new talent to develop and therefore are open to supporting many
more apprenticeships and training schemes in the future.”
Nineteen-year-old customer liaison officer at J Tomlinson Faz Hussain,
from Beeston, has recently secured a
permanent job at the company following the completion of her apprenticeship
this month (March).
She has ambitions to be a senior CLO with a few years more experience and
progress up, potentially to management level.
“There is always the
opportunity to progress here, and I have a passion for success,” she said. “Lots of line managers have
given me time and I always get plenty of help from other guys who have lots of
experience in the job.”
IT and telecommunications apprentice Lewis Jones, 17,
from Stapleford, is also enjoying his training at J Tomlinson. He needed back
surgery early in his apprenticeship, which he mentioned during his interview
for the position, and has been delighted with the support he has received
before, during and after his operation.
“I had to have back surgery,
which meant I was out of work for eight weeks. I get loads of support. The atmosphere
in the office is awesome,” said Lewis, who left school after taking GCSEs. “Everyone
here is so nice, even the directors are awesome, they make you feel welcome and
say hello in the yard.”
Long term, Lewis aims to get qualified in IT, learn all aspects of his
trade, complete more training in telecoms, and has ambitions to become an IT manager.
Group systems
manager at J Tomlinson Tracy Price is another firm supporter of apprenticeships
and trainee schemes.
She began working at the company straight from school in 1997 and has progressed up the
ranks from administration assistant to her current role of group systems manager,
which she took on in May 2014. In this role Tracy is responsible for the entire
group systems, delivering appropriate training to the business, and coordinating
all operations delivered through IT.
“Apprenticeships
and trainee schemes, along with continuous development, are a very important
part of helping individuals and companies to grow, and I’ve welcomed the
training and development opportunities that I’ve received since I left school
and joined J Tomlinson almost 20 years ago, which has enabled me to continually
develop my career,” she said.
J Tomlinson, which has its
headquarters at Lilac Grove, Beeston, operates across the East Midlands, West
Midlands and Yorkshire, employs more than 380 people, and has been named in
Deloitte’s Businesses Leading Britain 2014 report, which provides
insights into the UK’s 1,000 fastest-growing businesses with annual revenues
between £30 million and £1 billion.
The firm
offers services in construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance,
mechanical and electrical engineering, and facilities management, and works
across a range of sectors including social housing, emergency services, health
and care, education, retail and commercial property. A privately owned company,
the business has recently introduced a ‘people strategy’ to ensure that
employees benefit from training, development and career progression
opportunities.
For information about J Tomlinson visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk
Press release issued by Nottingham-based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk
For information about J Tomlinson visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk
Press release issued by Nottingham-based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk