Young firm takes on apprentices to solve industry skills shortage

by David Williams

A WIRRAL company formed just two years ago has come up with its own remedy for what it sees as a skills shortage in the electrical and instrumentation industry.

DMC, electrical instrumentation engineers, of Royden Road, Overchurch, Upton, has taken on two Wirral youngsters on four year modern apprenticeships.

"We advertised in Wirral Job Centres for six-eight weeks for two skilled electricians and received just two enquiries," said director Geoff Davies. "We thought we would have been inundated . . .

"We recognised some years ago that there would be a skills shortage in the industry when work picked up - and that is what has happened."

Fellow director John Maybury added: "We decided that we would make our own contribution to try and correct this by offering two apprenticeships instead. Nearly 90 young people applied."

DMC - John and Geoff formed the company after being made redundant by John Mowlem Electrical - has the support of CEWTEC to take on the two apprentices, 17-year-old Paul Sproston, of Violet Road, Claughton, Birkenhead, who had voluntarily enrolled himself on a electrical training course, and 18-year-old Benjamin Wrigley, who lives in Ness, South Wirral.

Said Geoff: "Our hope is that we will be looking each year to take on an extra two. There's nothing like training your own employees and bringing them through with all the skills you want to pass on."

The company, which specialises in industrial and commercial electrical installation, has established a broad client base in the North West and its turnover, which doubled last year, is expected to do so again at the end of this financial term.

Geoff and John head a 15-strong workforce.

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