Rising Star

Rising Star Finalist

Name: Soph Maguire

Please provide at least one example of a problem that you have encountered on-the-job and how you worked with your employer to overcome it:

This installation was for a ground source heating system in a large, domestic house. It was our first time as a company ever doing this kind of installation. We managed to squeeze two ground source heat units into a very tight gap. On the job, I learned how to do the fusion welding and filled up the system ready to run – luckily it all ran smoothly. However, we quickly noticed that the boiler was running at quite a low temperature, so we called in a technician to change the settings and get the actual system temperature up. It then seemed to work for a few nights, but we kept getting phone calls to tell us that an alarm was going off and the boiler is saying there is no pressure. At first, we thought it was a huge leak, but we couldn’t find anything to suggest this, nor did we find anything wrong with the wiring.

We decided to wait for the alarm to go off again in order to properly diagnose what the problem was – and it was shorting out in the circuit board. So, we bought a new PCB part and put it in one of the boilers – it was only one of them that was setting off the alarm – the slave boiler. We then tried to put it in the master boiler but found out the next day that it was still tripping out. I used a manual and worked out how to wire in a new circuit board onto the master boiler – which I did and all was fine. However, we also realised the machine wasn’t purging itself. So, I had to read the (very detailed) manual again on the circuit board to find out what part connected to the air vent for the machine to purge itself. As no one could reach the air vent at the back of the machine, this was the only option. So, I had to rewire this part of the boiler as well, which worked perfectly and the master boiler was running/purging itself again. We sent it back to the company and they ended up changing the entire circuit board for all of these boilers because we were the first people to figure out this problem because of how new the product was. So, we actually changed the boiler’s wiring permanently!

Please provide at least one example of how you have gone the extra mile and/or shown outstanding commitment during your apprenticeship. Please note: working additional hours to get a job done will not qualify:

I like to take on jobs myself, outside of the firm I work for, which helps me to continue working on my skills. I will always tell my customers what I’m going to be doing that day and then at the end of the day, I’ll update them on the work I’ve completed. I will always tidy up after a job and take any rubbish away because I know it’ll be easier for me to dispose of it correctly and properly. I also create care packs for every job no matter how big or small, to give to my customers at the end. It’s a premade folder with my company sticker, any instructions needed, the warranty they’re entitled to and how to claim it as well as all my contact numbers so if there are any problems they know how to contact me. This also means I have everything in one place for future reference if I need it.

Over the past couple of years of my apprenticeship, I have noticed a real lack of support and negative attitudes towards apprenticeships. From what people think they actually involve and require; teachers’ attitudes to promoting it; lack of knowledge from parents; students not being aware that there are other routes like this. I have spoken over the last few years to many teachers and students of a range of ages and I have definitely noticed that there is a big gap of knowledge during my school visits. I know I only live in a small area in Norfolk but I have really enjoyed visiting different high schools and primary schools to show students through fun activities what a day in my life is like and breaking that stigma and stereotypes.

One task I particularly enjoy doing is almost like a speed date. There are about 8 different people who have all done apprenticeships and are not who you particularly would have thought would have done these jobs. They are a diverse group of people from all different ages, sexes and abilities. They ask us questions, a bit like guess who, and find out things to do with our job. Questions the children asked were: ‘do you have to be strong?’; ‘is it dangerous?’; ‘do you use fire?’; ‘do you work on your own or as part of a team?’. After a few rounds of questions, we would do a quick presentation/ reveal of what we do as a job, and due to me documenting my journey on social media, I love to show them my day-in-the-life videos and give them a picture of what I do for work.

I have made it a big goal of mine to grow my Instagram and Tik Tok accounts this year to really show the journey of going from a complete newbie to a qualified installer. I have enjoyed building up this lovely community and it has also really helped me find girls and guys in similar positions to me that I can chat to and ask for advice. It has given me so many opportunities that I am thankful for, like visiting schools; travelling to different countries to work with manufacturers; going to tool shows to meet amazing people and sharing/promoting brands I’m really passionate about like Lawton tubes. Giving people my experiences, I have found to be super rewarding, as once the kids I have shown my life to come up to me and tell me they have so many more exciting jobs they want to try too! I have even been able to share my journey with the BBC in my own article on TV! I never thought that through just plumbing you can experience all of this!

And finally, what do you think are three important qualities of a good heating installer and how have you demonstrated these qualities during the initial stages of your career?

Being Driven- Having a can-do attitude has really allowed me to dive into many new avenues within my job. Having that motivation to get the most out of your course and your time learning. Doing this has allowed me to work in different avenues of domestic, commercial and industrial plumbing in places like schools, mansions, castles and factories.

Having Resilience- It’s inevitable as someone who is learning a new life skill that you will make mistakes and has hiccups along the way. Nobody is perfect! And I have found it key to remember that. Getting up every day and just remembering that the person teaching you has had a leak or piped something the wrong way, is the best way to be. Or when people are trying to put you off your job with hateful comments, which sadly happens a lot still in 2023, is remembering those highlights. For example, a piece of work you are really proud of and the fact you are learning a skill for life – which is priceless!

Strong Communication- Being able to talk to anyone from customers to your colleagues and even tutors will benefit you massively. Having clear and accurate communication with people around you ensure all conversations you have with these people achieve positive interactions. Make sure to take your time asking questions; be appreciative of help and mentoring; have customers remember you as being polite and letting them know what’s going on. And also, if you have any negative experiences be able to talk up without causing an argument but also be able to let people know how you feel. I have found this helpful for myself as I recently quit my job and found a new employer to help me carry on my apprenticeship.

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