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Case studies

Finding A Work Placement – Electrics

Added: 18 February 2008. Last updated: 16 May 2008.

Sylvia Matthews, Electrician

Electrician Sylvia Matthews wasn’t expecting to enjoy her first experience of site work quite as much as she did. “I was expecting something really horrible and macho, but they were absolutely brilliant at St George’s, and really helpful.”

Her 13 week placement at the riverside development was arranged through WAMTs Building Work for Women programme, and it’s provided a vital opportunity for her to build on the Electrical Installation training she undertook at Nescot College. “Everything comes together on site, and it comes alive. You can go on and on with textbooks, but you need imagery from real life. And then, when you speak with people, the whole thing comes alive. And they tell you things that trigger off avenues that give you new views on it. They consolidate things that you’ve heard, and that’s wonderful.“

For Sylvia, this chance to learn from co-workers was one of the best aspects of the placement. She found it particularly helpful to watch more experienced electricians at work, picking up tips and learning about tools and methods from colleagues like Tristan. “I asked if I could watch him in the kitchen, because he was experienced. I watched what tools he used, and using my discretion – not getting in his way exactly, and spoiling his work “ I’d say ‘Is that a good tool?’ And he’d tell me more. He used a brilliant wire stripper which I’ve since bought.“

Picking up details in this way has made them stick in her memory like never before. “It was just all interesting. And because youve been told the real thing – and you’ve got this rapport with somebody – you wont forget it.“

Sylvia’s main tip for getting on on-site is to “be straight and get on with the job, and you’ll get through.” She stresses the importance of admitting your weaknesses, when youre still learning – “If you do make any mistakes, dont dwell on it. Say ‘What have I learned?’, and just carry that through.“

She also stresses the importance of “stickability” when training in electrics. Although she now finds the job very satisfying – “because you make things work” – she admits that it can be hard when you first start in the trade. “It is a labour at the beginning – to learn how to strip cable efficiently, for example. But it comes with practice. Perhaps after two months I was finding it was coming quite easy. Because in the end, the memory is in your hands and your sight and your feel and everything. It’s not conscious, you know – but its the same with everything, isnt it?”

Sylvia credits the Building Work for Women programme for “throwing me into it” – “I would have been really scared to go on site myself. But it wasnt terrible and threatening and intimidating at all.” Continuing to praise her co-workers, Sylvia recalls : “There was a Ukranian girl who worked the hoist. I mean there are women on site.” And thanks to her own stickability, it looks like Sylvia will continue to be one of them.