MOST people trawl through the recruitment pages of a paper looking for a job – but not many would advertise their own skills in the hope of attracting an employer.
However, teenager Jarvis Ferguson thought one step ahead and placed an advert in the Press and Journal, making people aware he was looking to take up a modern apprenticeship.
His smart thinking and unusual approach impressed Malcolm Kennedy, QHSE manager with EnerMech, who wanted to find out more.
Malcolm sent a text to Jarvis asking for a CV and he was invited in to the company’s Aberdeen headquarters for an interview.
The mechanical services company specialises in the engineering of cranes, lifting and hydraulic equipment. The firm also provides tool rental and training and safety services, and employs more than 350 staff across the world.
Now, thanks to his endeavour, Jarvis, 16, of Bucksburn, is joining another aspiring engineer, Steven Dey, on EnerMech’s four-year modern apprentice scheme. The pair will receive on-the-job training and study for a range of SVQs and National Certificates at Banff and Buchan College.
Mr Kennedy said: “Jarvis was invited into EnerMech for a discussion and I presented the options available to him for working towards a modern apprenticeship. We gave him a tour of the workshops and facility, explaining the type of work and services EnerMech provide and Jarvis left with information he had to research.
“I discussed the options with my colleagues and because of the initiative that Jarvis showed by advertising in the paper he was invited back for an interview.
“Following a college acceptance test at Banff and Buchan College, Jarvis was offered a position within the cranes and lifting division and he begins his college career path in August to obtain the award of modern apprentice.”
Fellow apprentice Steven, 16, of Inverurie, already knew that he wanted to secure a workshop apprenticeship after work experience with EnerMech.
After a successful interview, Steven was offered a position within the company’s plant and tool rental division.
Both Steven and Jarvis will spend the first year full-time at college, completing a SVQ Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) and Level II Craft (Maintenance).
In the second and third years the teenagers will go on day release, attending the National Certificate in Marine Engineering, which is ideally suited to EnerMech as the course covers the products and service lines supplied to clients.
In the last year of their apprenticeship both lads will enrol on a SVQ/NVQ Engineering Maintenance Level 3 to assess them on the job against their chosen discipline, whether it be in equipment maintenance or the cranes and lifting division.
At a time when some firms are making significant cutbacks in their workforce, EnerMech are investing in the future and view Jarvis and Steven as the first in a succession of modern apprentices who can earn while they learn.
Malcolm added: “The plan is to formulate a timetable for an intake of apprentices from various disciplines both for summer and Christmas school leavers, or to take on apprentices from Banff and Buchan College who have completed their first year PEO, with us taking them on as second-year apprentices.
“The number of apprentices will very much depend on the number of mentors and supervision within the given discipline, but a rolling programme to replace the first-year apprentices as they move through their apprenticeship is being considered.
“By training apprentices, EnerMech can plan for future skills requirements, ensuring that the skills critical to our business success are not lost. Apprenticeships enable the company to have the right people, with the right skills, at the right time and we are confident Jarvis and Steven will set the benchmark for others to follow.”