Millfield School

Street

Pal Begg

Maintenance Supervisor

Not many employers take on apprentices who are in their mid-twenties – but one who has says it opened his eyes to a string of benefits he hadn’t expected.

Paul Begg, Maintenance Supervisor at the prestigious Millfield School in Street, Somerset, took on Steve Marks two years ago when he was 25.

“We’ve generally had younger apprentices, but he’s that little bit more mature and is very much more focused,” says Mr Begg.

“Steve’s been out there in the big wide world and seen it and now he knows what he really wants to do.

“There’s no attitude... or what there is is entirely positive! He has been top-notch for us – and being that bit older, he can drive the vehicles and we can insure him.

“He is excellent and we’re very happy. The college know we’re quite keen to get him into various competitions and put him under a bit of pressure. He’s been taught properly here so he finds some of the things at college slightly easy.”

Mr Begg says he took Steve on after a painter retired and he didn’t feel the job applicants were of a standard he wanted.

“Some of the guys out there aren’t what they’re making themselves out to be, shall we say? And as we’re a school with high standards, we’re after skilled tradesmen.

“They are few and far between and are usually happy with their lot. It’s not easy to get good people in. So we decided to train someone ourselves and offer an apprenticeship.

“Somerset College are excellent. I’m a decorator by trade and did my technical apprenticeship there, too. They come out and visit him.

“We always send our apprentices to college. At the end of the day they need the piece of paper and it gives them an insight into things we can’t necessarily do on site.

“It’s also good for apprentices to mix with others and realise what a good life they have here!”

Steve Marks, who is in his second year of three, spends two days a week at the college.

“You get the best of both worlds,” he says. “The college work and the work here. The college have been really good to me and the tutors are great. It’s not like school; it’s nice and relaxed and they teach you short cuts.

“More people should offer apprenticeships to older people. If Paul hadn’t offered me this apprenticeship, I would have had no chance – and now I’m really happy.”

Somerset College of Arts & Technology