Training has been invaluable for one apprentice – and the firm she works for JTL, the national training charity for apprentices in the building services engineering sector, is taking part in the Worcester News 100 in 100 campaign and one of its longstanding clients is Buzz Electrical in Evesham.

The company has taken on 12 apprentices since 1999, all of whom have successfully completed their training and added to the business. Helen Morrison, aged 18, of Bridge Street, Pershore, is currently a first-year apprentice at Buzz Electrical and is studying for her electrical installation qualifications with JTL.

Steve Owens, managing director at Buzz Electrical, said: “Taking on apprentices has been great for Buzz. “Being able to mould apprentices to become the electricians we need them to be has been invaluable. “By the time they finish their apprenticeship, they have the skills we need to grow our company.” Before embarking on her apprenticeship, Miss Morrison had been studying health, social care and early years at a sixth-form college, but since changing tack has not looked back. She said: “There is never a typical day and in terms of new, practical skills I’ve learnt, I couldn’t begin to list them all. I really enjoyed woodwork at GCSE, and knew I wanted to do something practical. Since starting my apprenticeship, I can’t imagine doing anything different.” ‘Like every other apprentice – male or female – I have to put the effort in, but being a woman in a male-dominated industry has made me all hard and challenge the preconceived ideas that people might have about women electricians.

“If an apprenticeship is what you want to do, don’t let anybody put you off it.”