Get ready to be inspired by the incredible work experience journey of Jonah, an aspiring future engineer! Last week, our Engineer Supervisor, Steve, gave his son a unique opportunity to dive into the world of engineering. Imagine the excitement Jonah must have felt, getting a sneak peek into what it's like to be an engineer, with Dad Steve as his mentor.

Having the opportunity to complete work experience in engineering, young people/students can gain valuable insights that can shape their future career. It is a chance to learn first-hand about the challenges and rewards of this fascinating field, from witnessing complex projects unfold to understanding the importance of problem-solving.

We caught up with both Steve and his son, before, during and after Jonah’s’ work experience, here are some of the highlights…

Planning for the Work Experience

Jonah told us that this opportunity came to him following discussions at his school with regards to work experience, and knowing what his Dad does, he was eager to learn a trade, or a skillset, that will provide a sustainable future. As Jonah is in the last year of secondary school and will be taking his GCSE's soon, this seemed like good timing. When asked if he saw himself as an engineer, Jonah said “I've always wanted to be a fireman but the reality is that it is very difficult to get in to the fire service, so yes I very much see myself becoming an engineer of some degree.”

We asked about the preparations that took place to get everything ready, structured, and safe for Jonah: Steve provided the induction and planned the training out, something appropriate for a week of work experience. Our branded PPE kits/work-wear were issued to Jonah beforehand, and Steve had a fixed list of work/visits for the week to take Jonah on, of course this can be subject to change, given the nature of the job, such as callouts, which is all part of the experience!

As far as experience as a mentor, we know Steve is highly qualified. He has been a Supervisor for some years, and has been with JCW since 2000, so he was confident that everything would go smoothly. When asked about his favorite trade tip(s) to pass on, Steve responded “There's only so much I can pass on in a week, but the usual one I've taught my kids is - it’s nice to be nice.”

So it Begins…

The week started off with a bit of induction, as well as a bit of roof top working…

The week continued with Jonah helping with day to day HVAC maintenance tasks at Next in Stafford. Working in the outdoor secure compounds that houses VRF units, cleaning AC filters. Jonah got through a lot that day, but Steve reckons he's enjoyed it, “especially chatting to all the shop staff that I've known for years”

Jonah Before and After AHU — 'before and after' AHU filter swap

With several site visits, the week ended with a bit busy day which included customer site visits to explain to the staff the energy saving procedures in place. All in all, a very eventful week, full of early mornings, hard work, customer services and learning about HVAC equipment.

Catching up after the week…

We asked for some updates from both Steve and Jonah, on their perspective on the week spent together. It is safe to say that both father and son had different highlights that made their time enjoyable. For Steve he told us it was the “company”. We understand as a mobile engineer, there are times when the nature of the job can feel quite isolating, especially when driving between different locations. However, being able to work alongside Jonah and having someone to share the experience with made it much more enjoyable.

Jonah found the experience of being a mobile HVAC technician for the week particularly enjoyable, engaging and rewarding. We are certain that being mentored by such an experienced supervisor helped a lot in gaining valuable insights into this field.

We asked if the reality of the experience met expectations. It was great to hear that Jonah had an accurate understanding of what Steve did, and his expectations did indeed match his work experience. Steve however, personally wished for him to experience some of the other disciplines JCW offers, such as Electrical, Life Safety, Gas and Fabric maintenance, or even Project Works. Considering the potential challenges from a Health and Safety standpoint, it's understandable that incorporating all disciplines would have been difficult.

In terms of new skills or knowledge gained, this experience allowed Jonah to understand both ends of the spectrum of a technical role, seeing lone working on one hand, to then being fully customer/client facing on the other. The importance of technical problem-solving, as well as effective communication when dealing with our clients. Working together was also thoroughly enjoyed by both parties and Steve looks forward to seeing which path Jonah chooses.

As far as Jonah's career aspirations, this hands-on experience truly sparked his interest and provided him with a deeper understanding of this specialised area. He is happy to say that this experience confirmed he'd like to pursue some form of mobile engineering career.

Bright Future for Everyone

At JCW, we believe in nurturing young talent and providing them with opportunities to explore their interests. By fostering a supportive environment where young people can learn from experienced professionals like Steve, we are paving the way for a new generation of engineers who will shape the world with their own brilliance.

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