Uplifting role for Scott on his stair lift apprenticeship

This article appeared on thisisbristol.co.uk.

A TEENAGER from Hanham has taken his first step towards an uplifting career after becoming an apprentice for a company that supplies and installs stair lifts and ramps.

Scott Coster has just finished his first month at Dolphin Lifts, a Portishead-based business that provides disabled access equipment for businesses and private individuals.

The 19-year-old successfully applied for the vacancy after reading about the opportunity with Dolphin in the Evening Post's 100 in 100 apprenticeship campaign.

The family-run company has seen a boom in business despite the recession, and now father-and-son team Tom and Steve Wakefield have taken on Scott to boost their staff number to six.


bristol_evening_post Image: bristol_evening_post
Friday, September 03, 2010, 07:00
Comment on this story
Share
Bookmark with (what is social media?)

* Facebook
* Digg
* Reddit
* Delicious
* StumbleUpon

Uplifting role for Scott on his stair lift apprenticeship
Uplifting role for Scott on his stair lift apprenticeship

A TEENAGER from Hanham has taken his first step towards an uplifting career after becoming an apprentice for a company that supplies and installs stair lifts and ramps.

Scott Coster has just finished his first month at Dolphin Lifts, a Portishead-based business that provides disabled access equipment for businesses and private individuals.

The 19-year-old successfully applied for the vacancy after reading about the opportunity with Dolphin in the Evening Post's 100 in 100 apprenticeship campaign.

The family-run company has seen a boom in business despite the recession, and now father-and-son team Tom and Steve Wakefield have taken on Scott to boost their staff number to six.

Mr Coster, a former Hanham High School pupil, is now on a two-year apprenticeship, during which he will study for an NVQ Level 2 and 3 in electrical and mechanical engineering.

But he also is also spending four days a week getting hands-on experience by working on site and picking up skills from Dolphin's senior engineers.

Mr Coster said: "The apprenticeship is brilliant. When I first read about it, it sounded really interesting and I've not been disappointed.

"It sounded really interesting, and as I wanted to learn some new skills I thought it could be a great way of leading into a career.

"Since I started a month ago I have been learning all about the stair lifts, and the engineers have been teaching me how to install, repair and maintain them.

"I am learning so much from watching the guys around me, and will no doubt learn even more when I go to college.

"I would love to stay with Dolphin after I have finished my apprenticeship. When I applied I wanted to do something that would set me up for the future, rather than just taking on any job. By getting further qualifications it will hopefully help my career in the future."

Dolphin's director, Tom Wakefield, said that having Mr Coster with the company would help the expansion of the business.

He said: "The business has been growing over the last couple of years, and we have just bought a new office and warehouse in Clevedon, so we felt it was the right time to take on a new apprentice.

"Having Scott means that we can teach someone our way of working and the skills that we use here.

"Scott is doing really well after his first month, and I have heard from the engineers that he is working really hard and is keen to learn, which is exactly what we wanted from an apprentice."

For more information on Dolphin Lifts Western, call 01275 818220 or visit www.dolphinstairlifts.com.

The Evening Post is campaigning to get 100 businesses across the Bristol area to offer young people the chance to work with them as apprentices. The campaign is aimed at companies of all sizes, across every industry.

If you are a business looking to take on an apprentice, or a young person keen to start an apprenticeship, email d.harris@bepp.co.uk.

For more information on apprenticeships, how to run one or to apply, call the National Apprenticeship Service on 08000 150 600 or visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.