A Yorkshire-headquartered high-voltage electrical engineering firm has pledged its investment in the region’s future, with the recruitment of two apprentice cable jointers into its Elland base.
An attractive ‘earn while you learn’ package will see Smith Brothers provide vital hands-on experience to the trainees, which will be dovetailed by a two-year City & Guilds academic course and three years with Utility and Construction Training (UCT).
Candidates will be given the opportunity to work on large-scale electrical engineering projects in the high-voltage, renewables, and energy storage sectors – across a client roster which includes Saint Gobain Glass, Yorkshire Water, Arlington Energy, and Lightsource BP.
“Our apprenticeship scheme is designed to offer people a job for life,” explained Richard Smith, co-founder of Smith Brothers. “As an employer, it’s our responsibility to support the ambitions of those in our sector and region, and such a qualification equips graduates with a ready-made, lifelong career – anywhere in the world.”
The annual apprenticeship scheme is not solely reserved for school-leavers though, as Richard continued: “We take apprentices of all ages because we believe that everyone deserves a chance. Some of the best engineers left school and went straight into a labouring job, but years later, they might be keen to back up that practical experience with a formal qualification.”
The current intake is the second in as many years for Smith Brothers, with trio of trainee fitters, including Rory Sharp, Cameron Galbraith, and Bronson Taylor now almost 12 months into their courses, having joined the scheme in September 2021.
As part of the programme, trainees will spend one month per year at the training centre, 9-10 months on site with Smith Brothers, and the remaining time focused on completing the City and Guilds academic requirements.
