Employer spotlight: UHI Inverness apprentices are key members of the team at Boiler & Valve
THE five apprentices employed by Boiler & Valve Engineering Ltd are key members of the Nairn-based steam engineering specialist firm and are worth every investment the company makes in their development.
Senior Service Engineer Kenneth Murdoch is a graduate apprentice and Trainee Service Engineers Brandon Kinvig, Kieran Smart, Riain Smith and James Pottie are modern apprentices. They all undergo training at UHI Inverness.
Business owner and Managing Director Andrew Macdonald regards them as an important part of the firm’s growth and future.
“They are all just amazing people. They have bought into the company direction and what we are striving to do, and all acknowledge they play a part in that journey. Their work ethic is amazing, and they know if they put the effort in, the company will do whatever we can to invest in them and help them reach their own career goals,” said Andrew.
Andrew Macdonald
The company’s services include boiler support, combustion and gas services, engineering and consultancy solutions, valve calibration, condensate recovery, mobile workshops, pressure testing and refractory work.
Andrew said: “We hire on attitude. The soft skills are equally important to us as the technical skills, given the niche work we do we very much have to ‘grow our own’. We hire on exemplary work ethic, honesty and a candidate’s ability to ‘go the extra mile’. When hiring for apprentices they usually come and work full time for a period before starting their apprenticeship. This allows us to assess whether they are a good fit, as well as them assessing us and the role for themselves, ensuring they are invested in the role as a long-term career.”
In delivering these apprenticeships, Boiler & Valve work in close partnership with UHI Inverness as the training provider.
“UHI Inverness support us very well and we try to reciprocate the support back when we can. I would say our relationship with UHI Inverness is open and transparent. UHI Inverness communicates well and it’s great that you can come in for a cup of tea and chat, there’s no pretentious, stuffy meetings,” he said.
Kenneth specialises in gas, combustion and controls work and is the firm’s most experienced engineer.
“This naturally puts him in a leadership role for the engineering team and our trainees,” said Andrew.
“His commendable drive and energy to balance his day-to-day work duties with his studying and professional development is a great example to others. He will go and seek answers to questions he doesn’t know and is constantly looking to better his knowledge and skills. Kenneth has helped grow the team and has played a huge part in helping instil our values and ethos.”
Boiler & Valve apprentices Kenneth, Riain and James
The trainees Brandon, Kieran, Riain and James go out to site with qualified engineering staff and carry out reactive and preventative maintenance jobs.
“Our trainees all have a great drive to better themselves and develop into qualified engineers,” said Andrew.
“They all approach any task with a willingness to get stuck in and absorb information from their mentors. Their maturity levels are exemplary and their commitment to learning is commendable. They have all fitted in great. We give all staff a ‘voice’ within the business and try to keep a flat hierarchy to a level. This helps create a cohesive and transparent team.”
Learn more about the apprentices we offer at UHI Inverness: Business - UHI Inverness
To find out more about Boiler& Valve visit: Steam & Combustion Engineering | Boiler & Valve Ltd