PowerFal

Engineering firm PowerFal in Penryn, which recently hired two apprentices through the Cornwall Apprenticeship Agency, received help with interview techniques, shortlisting candidates and HR advice.

Paul Jelbert, of PowerFal, said: “The agency helped us with the recruitment process, allowing us to focus on the day-to-day job of running our business. Apprenticeships are a great way to bring on an employee’s engineering skills as they can learn a lot from the more senior guys in the trade. Young people don’t get that practical experience nowadays in schools. Here they get a wide range of training, whether working on turbochargers, chemical cleaning or over-hauling engines.”

Hallam Williams, 18, from St Columb Major, is delighted to have been selected by PowerFal as a marine engineer apprentice.

The teenager was shortlisted from 25 applicants and is now learning the tools of the trade in the engineering workshop, while securing his long-term work prospects. “You train on the job and learn from colleagues with a lot of specialist experience. They are always ready to explain different techniques,” he said. “This Apprenticeship gives me a good set of skills and qualifications and will open doors in the future. My family was overjoyed when I got it as they knew how much it meant to me.”

“You train on the job and learn from colleagues with a lot of specialist experience. They are always ready to explain different techniques,”

Apprentice Lewis Cook, 17, from Truro, is also enjoying the “hands-on” experience with PowerFal. “It’s great,” he said. “I like the practical side of the job and am getting lots of training. Eventually I hope to become a fully-qualified engineer and my training with PowerFal will give me a very good start along this path.”

Lewis had previously completed Cornwall Marine Network’s (CMN) Young Apprenticeship Programme in marine engineering as part of his school studies.

CAA’s Mark Beckett added: “This is a great example of supporting young people as they progress from school into the workplace. CMN has a track record in providing a wide umbrella of career support programmes which equip Cornish students with industry recognised skills and qualifications.”

 

• Posted: September 27, 2016
• By: Tim Bowerbank