Aston Group, the building services and facilities management company, has appointed Harry Tomkins as a new electrical apprentice.
Harry Tomkins, 17, from Chingford, is one of 11 apprentices within Aston working their way to a professional qualification. Harry is working under the guidance and supervision of a team of electrical engineers and will spend most of his training at Ascham Homes, an ALMO that serves the residents of Waltham Forest. Aston has been providing mechanical and electrical servicing maintenance and repairs, as well as supporting Ascham with capital upgrade works, since 2004.
Alongside the practical learning, Harry is currently studying for a Level 2 certificate at Millennium Academy in Barking. He said:
“My Level 2 finishes in April next year, but I hope to achieve as many certificates as possible to build my knowledge and my practical skills. So far I have been learning about the fundamentals of health and safety, science and maths that will help me in the field.
“In just a short space of time I have covered so much, from installing two-way lighting, solar panels, fire alarms, and emergency lighting. It is definitely a case of learning on the job,” he says,
“and I have been so lucky with the opportunities, allowing me to get hands-on experience across such a variety of areas. I’ve worked with four different mentors so far, and they all know how to teach in a meaningful way so that I learn as much as possible.”
After five years. Harry will have achieved a GNVQ Level 3, with a solid foundation of knowledge across all the essential areas of electrical installation and maintenance.
Harry hopes to emulate the achievements of other Aston Group employees who have started as apprentices, including Duran Campbell who commenced training as an apprentice heating fitter five years ago but, following a recent promotion, he is now a trainee supervisor and undertaking the CIOB Construction Management Level 4 course.