Students and apprentices at East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) heard from industry professionals after being visited by five employers during a college connections roadshow.
eFIXX is a media company specialising in electrical installations and engineering. Earlier this week, the team visited students studying at EKC Dover College, which is part of EKC Group, to deliver their College Connections Roadshow.
The event sees a variety of employers, including ROBUS, Socket & See, and Niglon, visit colleges across the UK to provide hands-on advice and deliver exciting workshops to students and apprentices studying electrical courses.
The day started with a motivational talk from Gary Hayers, Co-founder of eFIXX, and John Ford, who is the Tech Training Manager at ROBUS lighting.
Taking place in the historic Maison Dieu in Dover, students learnt all about what it takes to be successful as an electrician.
Gary said it’s particularly important that he, employers, and industry partners take part in outreach like this.
He said: “We’ve got members of the team who have taught in FE Colleges for many years.
“I’ve spent 19 years teaching in colleges myself, and I find it incredibly important that we don’t forget the foundation of our electrical industry, which is those people starting out in the form of an apprenticeship, and hoping to shape our industry moving forward.”
He added that the great thing about these masterclasses is that they provide learners with an insight into things that they would otherwise not have learnt in their syllabus.
“We’ve got to show them things like EV charging, developments in cable and wiring systems, LED lighting, wireless switching, smart homes, and an in-depth class on testing ring final circuits,” he said.
“We’re leaving all the aspects that we’ve shown the students today behind in the form of physical aids, to help improve teaching moving forward.”
Following the opening talk of the day, learners then took part in a discussion about what it takes and the dedication that they need to be successful in the electrical installations industry.
Andre Tudin, who studies Level 3 Electrical Installations at EKC Dover College, said he gained a lot from the day.
“You should try to present yourself not just on your CV, but in person as reliable, don’t just mention it,” he said.
“Hearing from external people provides more diversity and different opinions on different matters within the industry.”
The event was put together by Programme Director for Electrical at EKC Dover College, Ellen Lodge.
She said: “It’s really important for us here to get as many employers and companies out there in, just to give our students a broader view of what’s happening in the electrical industry.
“It can be different brands showing us different things that are coming into the industry that we as tutors may not have seen because we’ve been teaching, or it could be Gary, for example, being a great motivational speaker, bringing in all the knowledge that he can teach as well.
“The College Connections Roadshow team has been beyond inspiring, and I want to take away from that and incorporate it into my own teaching practice.
“It just gives our students a much broader overview of what’s going on in industry.”
One lucky student received a prize for their hard work and dedication to their studies.
Provided by GH Lucas and QBrick through their partnership with eFIXX, Josh Kennewell, who is studying Level 3 Electrical Installations, received his prize of a large tool case worth more than £200 during the talk at the Maison Dieu.
Josh said: “I was shocked when I won, to be honest, but it’s really rewarding.
“It’s good to know that my lecturers think I’m doing well, and it will help me organise my tools, and that’s really useful for me.”
Programme Director for Electrical, Ellen added: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to be able to celebrate Josh and how well he’s done.
“eFIXX have given us the opportunity to do that, as although we do small prize giveaways, to do something this big is going to really help Josh and his career.
“Josh has a very good comprehensive understanding and has gone out there, got himself work experience and a part-time job working alongside an electrician.
“He’s really good at applying that knowledge to his theory element and the practical side of things, so we really hope this prize helps him to progress in his electrical practice even more.”
Special thanks to eFIXX, FuseBox, Robus, TLC, Niglon, Socket & See, and the Dover Maison Dieu.
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