To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2016, Principal David Pomfret has swapped his office suit for overalls and gone ‘back to the floor’, working alongside plumbing apprentices Liam Farrow and Daniel Starling, of Hall Heating and Plumbing Services.
Mr Pomfret helped in every aspect of the plumbing and heating trade, getting stuck in with a job on-site at a house in King’s Lynn.
Liam’s boss Dan Hall, owner of Hall Heating and Plumbing Services, was more than happy to extend his workforce for the day. Mr Hall himself started off as a student at the college and learnt his trade as an apprentice, just as Daniel and Liam are.
Liam Farrow, 19, from King’s Lynn, is currently completing an advanced level apprenticeship with Mr Hall, provided by the College of West Anglia. Daniel Starling, 16, is studying towards an intermediate apprenticeship, having just started with the company.
Mr Pomfret has always been enthusiastic about ‘back to the floor’ and said: “We have been running ‘back to the floor’ days for a few years now, with members of the senior management team joining myself in getting out of the office and working alongside some of our truly talented apprentices.
“I think it’s really important to see the apprenticeship scheme that we offer through the eyes of the young person. This allows us to see how we can improve training opportunities, based on what the employer expects and ensure our apprentices get the most out of their placements.
“I am passionate about the apprenticeships we offer through the college and was delighted to get to work alongside Liam and Daniel on-site today.”
Dan Hall, Liam’s employer, said: “I have two apprentices in training with the College of West Anglia. I believe this partnership is benefitting the young people equally as much as it is helping my business to thrive.
“It has been fantastic to have the Principal come out on a job with us today, to experience the plumbing trade first hand and live out the day-to-day jobs of the apprentices.”
Liam Farrow started off as a full time student, but after completing a year, had a trial with Dan Hall and decided to take the leap into an apprenticeship. He said: “It’s a lot different working as an apprentice than it is studying in the workshops at college. I get the real life work experience with Dan and have a lot more time to do practical, hands-on learning.”
Daniel Starling only started his apprenticeship in September but says he is so glad he chose to do so. He said: “I found out about this apprenticeship through CWA and would highly advise anyone thinking of learning a trade to consider learning on the job.
“It’s been really good to have Mr Pomfret with us today. He’s been very good at the jobs that we set him. We’ve had a go at soldering, clipping and installing a radiator today. He got really stuck in.”
To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2016, Principal David Pomfret has swapped his office suit for overalls and gone ‘back to the floor’, working alongside plumbing apprentices Liam Farrow and Daniel Starling, of Hall Heating and Plumbing Services.
Mr Pomfret helped in every aspect of the plumbing and heating trade, getting stuck in with a job on-site at a house in King’s Lynn.
Liam’s boss Dan Hall, owner of Hall Heating and Plumbing Services, was more than happy to extend his workforce for the day. Mr Hall himself started off as a student at the college and learnt his trade as an apprentice, just as Daniel and Liam are.
Liam Farrow, 19, from King’s Lynn, is currently completing an advanced level apprenticeship with Mr Hall, provided by the College of West Anglia. Daniel Starling, 16, is studying towards an intermediate apprenticeship, having just started with the company.
Mr Pomfret has always been enthusiastic about ‘back to the floor’ and said: “We have been running ‘back to the floor’ days for a few years now, with members of the senior management team joining myself in getting out of the office and working alongside some of our truly talented apprentices.
“I think it’s really important to see the apprenticeship scheme that we offer through the eyes of the young person. This allows us to see how we can improve training opportunities, based on what the employer expects and ensure our apprentices get the most out of their placements.
“I am passionate about the apprenticeships we offer through the college and was delighted to get to work alongside Liam and Daniel on-site today.”
Dan Hall, Liam’s employer, said: “I have two apprentices in training with the College of West Anglia. I believe this partnership is benefitting the young people equally as much as it is helping my business to thrive.
“It has been fantastic to have the Principal come out on a job with us today, to experience the plumbing trade first hand and live out the day-to-day jobs of the apprentices.”
Liam Farrow started off as a full time student, but after completing a year, had a trial with Dan Hall and decided to take the leap into an apprenticeship. He said: “It’s a lot different working as an apprentice than it is studying in the workshops at college. I get the real life work experience with Dan and have a lot more time to do practical, hands-on learning.”
Daniel Starling only started his apprenticeship in September but says he is so glad he chose to do so. He said: “I found out about this apprenticeship through CWA and would highly advise anyone thinking of learning a trade to consider learning on the job.
“It’s been really good to have Mr Pomfret with us today. He’s been very good at the jobs that we set him. We’ve had a go at soldering, clipping and installing a radiator today. He got really stuck in.”