On completion of his A Levels Sean aimed to take up an apprenticeship but was unable to find suitable employment on the mainland where he could do his apprenticeship. Instead he found himself back in Scilly working for CD Electrical.
At the time Lifelong Learning were running an European Social Fund (ESF) project called ‘The Progressive Isles’. Sean was able to access funding which enabled him to embark on an apprenticeship here on Scilly. Travel costs to and from the mainland to attend Cornwall College and assessor visits to the islands were covered by the fund. Sean could now continue with his plan of becoming an electrician and eight months later he qualified.
Sean continued to work for CD Electrical and decided that he would like to undertake further Professional Development. Looking into the LAG-funded ‘Skills for Business’ project, he discovered that he was eligible for a 50% grant towards course fees and travel to the mainland. Sean said: "When I found out I was able to get funding towards the costs, it helped me decide to go ahead with the courses I wanted to do".
Sean has now completed three City and Guilds courses which have updated his knowledge and skills in electrical installation techniques, carrying out inspections and testing. He can now also install and maintain systems such as solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, heat pumps or water harvesting and recycling.
Sean said: "Lifelong learning funding programmes have enabled me to continually meet the demands of the ever-evolving electrical industry and ensure that all my work carried out meets and where possible exceeds industry set guidance".
Not satisfied with all that he has achieved so far, Sean plans to start studying for a degree in Electrical Engineering this winter.