Two apprentices have been taken on by Manx Gas in a deliberate move to train more youngsters who live on the island in engineering and other skills as part of a structured “succession planning” policy.
“It is the first time we have taken on apprentices for about three years but we recognise the importance of bringing more young people who live on the island into the business and provide the training and experience enabling them to take on senior roles in the future,” said customer and network services director Robert Gardner.
He added: “When recruiting for certain jobs we have often had no alternative but to go off island to find people with the required engineering and mechanical skills and experience but we are now looking to nurture and grow our own pool of talented and skilled staff. We are in effect investing in the future.”
The new apprentices are Steven Fowler, 19, from Glen Vine and Richard Willis, 23, who lives in Ramsey. Both were selected from around 30 applicants who applied to Manx Gas when the vacancies were advertised in the summer. The company has also taken on five apprentices in the Channel Islands.
“All the applicants were put through a rigorous selection process and Steven and Richard are the two who came through the assessments and interviews with flying colours,” said Mr Gardner.
All the apprenticeship schemes, which will vary from three to four years, will be headed by Manx Gas technical training officer Vernon Hill who is based in the Isle of Man.
Richard, who completed his BTEC Level 3 Diploma in engineering at Isle of Man College of Further Education said: “My aim was to pursue a career in engineering so this apprenticeship is a terrific opportunity for me.”
Keen sportsman Steven, who has just completed his two-year engineering course at Isle of Man College of Further Education said: “I’m just so over the moon that this opportunity has come my way.”
Photograph: From left new apprentices Steven Fowler and Richard Willis with Manx Gas director Robert Gardner.
