“Last week we had the pleasure of welcoming Auchenharvie student Bryony, Bryony is 16 years old, and her dream career is to be a joiner, recently at one of Auchenharvie career events Bryony chatted with our training coordinator Elaine Kean and Training Compliance Manger Kevin Kidd regarding James Frew Apprenticeships and when she learned of a weeklong placement, she expressed her interest in being put forward.

Bryony was a breath of fresh air, a lovely girl with a bright future ahead of her.

Below is Bryony’s story from her time with us.”

Christina Smith, James Frew

“My time at James Frew last week was such an amazing experience. Spending time with the Call centre staff, learning about what they do and how they get different engineers to different jobs, also listening on how they help customers over the phone with boilers, heating, and Gas leaks.

Then working with the reactive maintenance/electrical department learning how to register boilers and review job cards. I then went on to work with the health and safety department where Andrea walker the and John Brennan showed me how to do and complete toolbox talks and the Q pulse system where all the engineers and labourers put their accident reports, near miss reports, where John uploads audits and where they are signed off. John then kindly took me along to Barnett court in Saltcoats to see the development in the sheltered housing where I went around the site and inspected the electrical equipment that need a PAT test and marked them down.

I also had a tour of the training centre with Kevin Kidd the {gas training and compliance manager} he showed me where engineers do Gas training and learn about domestic gas basics, Installation, gas emergencies and compulsion.

Lastly, I went with Paul Lynn Head of Operations for the Modernization department he spoke to me about what I want to do when I leave school, he told me about his journey to where he is now from starting off as a Plumber to working with the NHS and told me never give up. Paul took me over to a building site where I met all the workmen working on the project, where I got to see joiners and electricians in action.

I also spoke to Kyle Rafferty, I asked some questions, and he told me all about is journey and how he ended up with James Frew and what he does with the company, he also told me about the Apprenticeships with James Frew and what they offer which I hope to do in the following year on my journey to become a joiner like my grandpa.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time here at James Frew last week and I’m sad it was a short time to spend here I thank everyone who took the time to show me about and show me how they do their jobs and took the time to talk to me and help me know more on how to achieve my goal. Thank you so much to Christina smith who arranged everything for me this week It was such a fun experience and I really, really enjoyed it hopefully I’ll be back really soon”!