We had a chat with Andrew Benjamin, the Learner of the Month for November!

The SPARKS Learner of the Month award celebrates students and apprentices who are passionate about the future of the electrical industry, going above and beyond in their apprenticeships to set the standards of the industry.

SPARKS has launched the award to recognise the efforts that students and apprentices have put into learning the trade.

Andrew was nominated by his lecturer, Jonny Brown, and was chosen as the Learner of the Month after a week of voting and testimonials on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

The award was sponsored by Knipex, who sent Andrew a tool kit.

Our runner-up was Connor Payne from Andy Payne Electrical Contractors.

Andrew, 17, was nominated for the following reason: “Andrew came to us at York college straight from school not knowing what he wanted to do. He knew that he wanted to do something within construction but was unsure of what.

“He initially went onto a multi-skill course where he soon realised his interest in electrical installation.

“He started with us on a full-time Level 2 programme where he really excelled in both practical and theory, achieving brilliant grades on all his assessments.

“After completing his Level 2 qualification he was unsuccessful at achieving an apprenticeship so he came back to us for Level 3.

“In the first couple of weeks, he managed to obtain an apprenticeship with Dunnington Electricals, York.

“Through Benji’s hard work and determination he is now still doing well in his classes and working under one of our newly qualified ex-apprentices Ryan.

“Well done Benj. Keep up the hard work.”

SPARKS Magazine: Congratulations Andrew! How does it feel to be the SPARKS Learner of the Month?

Andrew Benjamin: I am very pleased with myself, it feels like a big achievement!

SPARKS: How long have you been in the industry?

AB: I have been in the industry as an apprentice for just over a month.

SPARKS: Have you always worked for Dunnington Electricals?

AB: Yes, since I got my apprenticeship – I work there four days a week and at college one day a week.

SPARKS: What made you want to get into the industry?

AB: I did a taster course at an open day at college and really enjoyed the practical side of the course so I thought I’d give it a go.

SPARKS: What do you love most about it?

AB: The on-site experience. It’s really given me skills that I didn’t have before such as being more confident and being able to work within a team.

SPARKS: What is your day-to-day role?

AB: It can vary, one day I could be getting taught how to wire certain things, doing different types of testing and on another day I could be pulling wires through tubing and drilling holes.

SPARKS: What would you like to achieve in your career?

AB: To become a fully qualified electrician and stay with the same company as long as I can.

SPARKS: What inspires you the most?

AB: The idea of completion – for example, getting qualified as an electrician.

SPARKS: What’s your favourite social media platform?

AB: Instagram.

SPARKS: What’s your favourite job to do?

AB: Termination of sockets and fused spurs.

SPARKS: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given in your apprenticeship?

AB: Believe in your ability – you are not always going to get it the first time so keep trying and trying.

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