News

Hat-trick of apprentices talent-spotted at Edmundson Electrical Edinburgh

May 25, 2017

Scott Coppola Electrical Distributors on West Bowling Green Street, part of Edmundson Electrical’s Edinburgh operation, is seeing the benefit of apprenticeships as a way of attracting new and enthusiastic employees.

Branch Manager Darren Coppola, who oversees the apprenticeship programme, explains their approach

The EDA Apprenticeships Programme allows us to take a good long look at a new recruit’s potential and to see how they could grow with our business. I’m looking for hard working and flexible individuals who are hungry for success.

“Three of our most recent apprentice stars  –  Lucy, Dylan and Craig – have all been offered permanent contracts and are forging their careers in the sector.”

Good with figures

Lucy Kyles, 17, from Leith, completed her Business Administration apprenticeship in September 2016 and was offered a permanent role straight away.

“I’m pretty good with figures so my role plays to my strengths and involves a lot of spreadsheet work and calculating the sales reps’ figures,” she says “but there’s plenty of opportunity for me to develop too. I’m now starting to get involved in project management, which I’m looking forward to.

Varied

Dylan Black, 18, from Edinburgh, has his sights set on a fully-fledged sales role, adds “I didn’t really enjoy school but I made sure I’d secured my Business Administration apprenticeship before I left.

“My role is varied and busy, which is how I like it. I liaise with suppliers and customers, and there is some admin work, and I’d like really like to progress on the sales side.

“To be honest, I didn’t know anything about electrical wholesale before I joined, but if you work hard there’s a job for you.”

Industry knowledge

After his apprenticeship in Distribution, Warehousing and Storage, Craig Arundel, 18 from Edinburgh, has continued to improve his industry knowledge through the EDA’s Specialist Product Knowledge Programme distance learning modules.

“I’ve completed Fundamentals of Electricity, Customer Care and Lamps and Lighting, and I’m about to start on Cables and Wiring, and after that it’s Renewable Energy Systems,” says Craig

“I work in the sales team, helping customers either over the phone or at the trade counter, and when I need to research products for them this knowledge is really useful.

“And I’m quite ambitious,” adds Craig “I’d like to be a branch manager one day!”

Customers at the centre

As well as improving his product knowledge, Craig has also added yet another string to his bow with a new fire alarm qualification explains Manager Darren

“We are the first location in Scotland to start Firetech. Edmundson has been working with the NIC and BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) to bring the electrical contractors back to Fire Alarm installations, our part as the wholesaler is to offer them a fire design service.

“Craig has now completed the course which means he is accredited to BAFE SP203 Part 1 which means he can create a Fire Alarm Design for any building in the country. “We are always working to better our services to our customers and the fire is an addition to the lighting design, calibration, project management, meeting rooms and of course our famous 100 watt café.

“These extra services are a great fit for the young people that come though the EDA Apprenticeships Programme.