Main menu

HCFE Banner
Location: 

You are here

Oakes Energy tells us of the benefits of Apprenticeships

Jason Oakes with business partner Derek Dawson

Apprentices have played a key role in helping a well-established heating firm flourish – and there are plenty of opportunities ahead for youngsters hoping to get on the careers ladder.

Oakes Energy Services, based in Castle Eden, has been involved in a link-up with Hartlepool College of Further Education for the last decade, and is heavily involved in the apprenticeship programme. 

Jason Oakes, who set the company up with business partner Derek Dowson when injury cut short his professional rugby career with Newcastle Falcons in 2007, took on his latest two apprentices recently and says the programme plays a key part in helping the firm develop. Jason said: “The apprenticeship programme is something which is very important to us as a business. They join us at 16 or 17, and they immediately get out on the road with our staff so they can learn the job as they go along. We cover a wide range of sectors, carrying out work in buildings like tower blocks and care homes, where each job is different. As part of the team, the apprentice quickly learns the ropes, and is moulded into the way we operate as a business as we are quite unique in the systems we work in. We specialise in the installation of solar thermal hot water systems, solar PV systems and air source heat pumps so it is a varied and challenging workload for the apprentices to pick up on.”

Hartlepool College staff monitor the progress from the apprentices with regular visits, and shape the work with help from the Oakes team when the youngsters are on campus for day-release. Jason added: “We run Oakes Heating Services and Oakes Energy Services as two sister companies, so we work across the board in heating and plumbing. This apprenticeship isn’t just a traditional plumbing qualification, but the relationship we have with the College reflects that as they know exactly the type of individual that we look to bring on board.The beauty of getting the apprentice on board in that way means they do not come to us with any bad habits, or a style of working which they may have been taught which does not suit what we do. We are delighted with the relationship we have with the College, and we look forward to developing it further in the future.”

SEE The Difference with Apprenticeships at Hartlepool College

For more information about Hartlepool College of Further Education, call the Apprenticeship Administrators on 01429 404073 or email: apprenticeships@hartlepoolfe.ac.uk

Courses

Whatever course you choose, you'll get the highest level of training from specialist tutors, benefiting from their knowledge and experience of working not just in education but also in industry.
https://www.hartlepoolfe.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/oakes-energy-profile_0.jpg?itok=a1k_opEi