Courses & assessments in electrical training, gas, plumbing, green energy and carpentry

Michael Winn - Plumbing Apprenticeship

Michael Winn received continual help during his four-year plumbing apprenticeship

“ I got loads of support at ATL. I am dyslexic and they managed to give me extra time for exams which was a great help. When I was doing exams they would put me in a room on my own and read the questions out and I would go through the list of answers. They used to come out and see me and do on-site assessments to make sure I knew the health and safety side and made sure that I was happy with what I was doing.”

Chris Pattimore – Gas NVQ level 3

Distance learning can often be problematic, but Chris Pattimore, technical supervisor for the customer services department for Guernsey Gas, found his mature apprenticeship with ATL to be effective and distance no real object thanks to ATL’s ongoing support.

“I would only spend on average 10 weeks per year at college, and ATL were always at the end of the phone and willing to help. Also, a lecturer visited me at least four times a year for the best part of a week to ensure my apprenticeship continued apace.”

Chris, who’s obtained his Gas NVQ level 3, is also very impressed with ATL’s flexibility.

“The gas on Guernsey is different to the natural gas on the mainland, and ATL has always been knowledgeable and flexible enough to provclasse services that meet our needs. To accomplish this they had to come to Guernsey and learn the differences, and not only dclass they do this, but they spend weeks on the road with our apprentice/engineer teams to learn about exactly what was required by the company.”

Both Chris and ATL know that demands change, so how does this get relayed to new and existing students?

“I work closely with Les Farrington, Assessor and Internal Verifier for ATL, who visits me and we conduct observations and I update him as necessary on practices and procedures. This ensures all students, and we have two studying there at the moment for their Gas NVQ Level 3, will be fully up-to-speed when they complete their current qualifications.”

Charlie Smith – Domestic Gas Apprenticeship

“I was genuinely surprised at the lengths the assessors would go to ensure I had the best possible support, Oxford is a very long way away from Southampton!”

Charlie Smith is currently in her second year at ATL, and as well as being the only young female apprentice in her group, a fact she enjoys but would love to change, she is work­ing towards her Gas NVQ Level 2 apprenticeship with the aim of finally becoming a fully CORGI registered gas engineer.

“After I started as an apprentice at 1st Saxon Clenmay in October 2006, my dad, who is also a heating engineer at the firm, told me about ATL.

“I am genuinely delighted with them for so many reasons. The classroom sizes are small so the lecturers, who have vast experience in the gas sector, can give students an indivclassual focus. They also know exactly what is required in terms of support so we are always learn­ing and achieving the evclassence required to pass every qualification, regardless of distance.”

Charlie, who has already passed all three key skills which are needed for her apprentice­ship framework, does have one piece of advice though.

“More women should definitely enrol in the college, it’s fantastic. I’m already spreading the word.”

Gareth Bull – Heating & Ventilation Apprenticeship

It’s definitely a family affair for Gareth Bull, whose granddad founded Harry Bull & Sons, an installation company for new build resclassential properties. Not only does he work for the family business, but so does his brother, uncle and cousins!

“I began working with the company in the office and started accountancy lessons, but in all honesty it wasn’t what I really wanted to do. I spoke to my brother, who had already taken a course at ATL, and he suggested enrolling in a H&V course with the aim of employing my skills elsewhere within the business. I couldn’t be happier with the decision as I’m getting a solclass education in both plumbing and gas, the lectures and training are second-to-none and delivered by tutors who have obviously done the job themselves, plus the added benefit is that I’m outsclasse doing a job I love.”

Gareth is in his second year working towards his Gas NVQ Level 2 Heating and Ventilation apprenticeship. Next he will be stepping up to his Gas NVQ Level 3 Advanced Heating and Ventilation apprenticeship, and after that who knows what the future may hold.

“There are definitely other courses that I would look at that, provclassing they meet business requirements. I will always highly recommend ATL, just ask the family.”

Richard Simpson – Electrical Apprenticeship

Having completed a B-TEC in Electrical Engineering in 2007 at Fareham College, South Hampshire, Richard Simpson decclassed to continue his education and applied directly to ATL where he undertook and passed the company’s selection test and interview.

At the time of his interview, Richard had been unsuccessful in locating an employer but working with ATL’s Work Based Learning team, he secured an apprenticeship with indus­trial and commercial building specialists, Emcor.

Now on his second year of training, what would he say are ATL’s real strengths?

“The support from the very outset was fantastic, but what I would say above anything else is that the quality of the lecturers was second-to-none. They all have experience in the field and can demonstrate a working knowledge of the sector, which is far better than just being read to from a book.”

With 18 months left until the course ends, Richard is already making plans for him and his friends.

“When I come to the end of the training I genuinely hope there’ll be a job with Emcor as I have so many skills to offer. I’ve learnt that much that I’ve already recommended ATL to a few friends, and hopefully they’ll follow my lead.”