Heating and Ventilating

The company, which has offices in Birmingham, Bristol and London, was named as the winner of the Employer Training Initiative of the Year category for London, the South East and the Midlands at the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) Awards, held at the Oxo Tower in London, for the new J S Wright Experience programme.

The scheme was launched at the start of 2018 to provide mechanical and electrical technical apprentices with the all-round skills and experience to pursue an accelerated career path with J S Wright.

Running alongside existing academic and work-based college courses, the programme involves trainees being mentored through a four-year course that includes working in all office departments and on-site, and being immersed in J S Wright’s values, processes and procedures.

In addition, trainees learn industry design regulations, take part in supplier and manufacturer visits and client networking, and complete a yearly nine-month project which also provides evidence for college qualifications.

Martina Stocker, BESA events manager, said: “The judging panel regarded J S Wright’s training programme as excellent and well-constructed and they were hugely impressed by the role of experienced mentors in guiding the trainees and passing on their knowledge.

“The judges also noted that the programme quickly gained enthusiastic support from the company’s staff. They also liked the fact that each trainee was assigned a wide variety of tasks, which meant they received a well-rounded experience that stretched them and should equip them well for the challenges they will face in the workplace.”

J S Wright operates its own apprentice training academy which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Since its launch, the academy has welcomed 55 new members of whom 33 are still with the company. In total, more than 35 per cent of the company’s 175-strong workforce are either current or former J S Wright apprentices.