At JTL, we have always valued young apprentices, and believe that retaining this talent is crucial in revitalising the building services engineering sector.
Outside of the hard work put in by our learners, our philosophy relies upon the support offered by employers, such as Corin Dudley Electrical Services Ltd. (CDS), to invest in, nurture and retain young apprentices.
Founded in 1996, CDS provides a range of commercial, electrical and domestic services for businesses, councils, homes and schools – specialising in solar panel and battery installation.
Based in Sussex, the company has a reputation for outstanding quality of service. Corin Dudley (CDS Managing Director) and Derek Bulled (CDS Director), both former JTL apprentices, were presented with the regional JTL Employer Recognition award in June earlier this year.
CDS received the Southern region award after demonstrating remarkably consistent commitment towards their apprentices, joined by only four other award winners.
JTL Training Officer, Stephen Allcorn, nominated the company for the outstanding care and consideration they show towards their apprentices.
Despite becoming fully qualified electricians over three decades ago, both Corin and Derek still remember how vital their apprenticeship was to their personal development. Having now worked together for over 20 years, the pair are committed to employing young learners, regularly recruiting apprentices every year and have trained 15 apprentices to electricians to date.
Both believe that the JTL apprenticeship scheme is by far the best way for apprentices to achieve their qualifications, proclaiming that it enables them to achieve their goals and become excellent electricians, as well as growing the pool of talent in the electrical industry as a whole.
Every apprentice that Corin and Derek have trained are either still working at CDS or have gone onto start their own business, a testament to the quality of training that apprentices receive and the confidence they gain during the process.
Their longest serving apprentice, who worked with them for over 22 years as an estimator, recently emigrated to Australia. He also completed his apprenticeship with JTL and ultimately went on to be regarded as CDS’ most capable engineer.
All three of the company’s other estimators also came through the JTL apprenticeship scheme, enabling them to share their wealth of knowledge and experience with younger team members.
CDS Electrical is certainly a family business. Corin’s eldest son is now a qualified electrician whilst his younger son is currently in his third year of training. Derek’s son has also just completed his first year of his apprenticeship.
Alongside apprenticeships, CDS also offers work experience placements to Year 11 students at local schools to give prospective electricians some practical experience – some have even gone on to become apprentices.
Reflecting on how apprenticeship cohorts have changed for the better over the years, Derek added: “When I was an apprentice, female apprentices were few and far between. Today, CDS is proud to be working with Daisy, Elaine and Denise, who are either just starting, continuing or have completed their apprenticeships to become fully qualified electricians.
“We really appreciate JTL’s ongoing support and how the team has helped CDS to recruit older apprentices, fund their course and provide the training necessary for them to become qualified electricians. We believe that JTL’s new training facility in Eastbourne will improve training provision even further.”
