Apprentices Progress Careers with Promotion to Chargehand Roles

RSE’s commitment to celebrating career progression reflects our core values and underlines our dedication to our employees. We take immense pride in showcasing the inspiring journeys of our team members who not only embraced RSE apprenticeship programmes but also advanced to assume more senior positions within our company.

Recently, we had the pleasure of recognising three exceptional individuals – Jay, Liam and Ben, whose professional journeys began as apprentices with RSE and have now evolved into more senior and influential roles. Stationed at our Dalgety Bay facility, these dedicated professionals truly embody the spirit of dedication, perseverance, and growth that defines our company culture.

In this news article, Jay, Liam and Ben have generously shared their insights and experiences from their apprenticeship days at RSE. They provide a first-hand account of their journeys, highlighting the challenges they encountered, the valuable skills they acquired, and the support they received along the way.

Q.1 – What does your typical day working for RSE look like?

“Currently, I am located in the Dalgety Bay workshop, where my primary responsibilities revolve around the fabrication of dosing cabinets and the assembly of kiosks. Additionally, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to a dedicated team focused on establishing a comprehensive training programme for incoming apprentices. This programme serves as a bridge to transfer our collective knowledge, helping the next generation of apprentices gain a thorough understanding of the vital work we do here at RSE.” – Jay Buglass

“Every day involves manufacturing chemical dosing systems through welding, assembling pipework systems, and pressure testing. I’m also a point of contact for colleagues when issues come up, I train apprentices, and I handle CNC programming and operation when needed.” – Liam Mann

Q.2 – What aspects of your job do you particularly enjoy?

“Personally, I find fulfillment in the hands-on work of executing physical terminations and maintaining the visual integrity of electrical installations, ensuring they appear neat and orderly. Equally, I get great satisfaction from playing a role in nurturing the growth and self-assurance of our apprentices. Having experienced the journey of an apprentice here at RSE, I empathise with the challenges they face, and I am dedicated to helping them maximise their experience, just as I did during my own apprenticeship.” – Ben Wardrop

Q.3 – What experience do you hope to gain in your new role?

“In my role as a chargehand, I aspire to further develop my leadership skills and decision-making abilities, with the aim of positively influencing and guiding the team. My goal is to foster an environment where collective efforts thrive and excellence is the standard.” – Liam Mann

Q.4 – How would you best describe your experience of completing an apprenticeship with RSE?

“Reflecting on my rewarding nine-year journey with RSE, I can confidently say that I’ve had an exceptional experience. The open and constructive dialogue I’ve had with my managers has allowed me to chart the course of my career within RSE, a privilege I deeply value. Throughout this journey, every member of our company, from colleagues to supervisors, has consistently extended their unwavering support and guidance. Their collective effort has been instrumental in shaping my knowledge and expertise, and I can’t express enough gratitude for the invaluable opportunities I’ve received.” – Jay Buglass

“RSE provided vital support by bringing me on board during the second year of my mechanical engineering apprenticeship, which I successfully completed while also earning my NC and HNC in mechanical engineering. For the past four years since completing my apprenticeship, I’ve remained committed to expanding my knowledge and honing my skills in my chosen field. This dedication has recently led to my promotion to the position of mechanical chargehand.” – Liam Mann

“The support I’ve received, both within and beyond the workplace, from RSE has been truly invaluable. I owe a significant debt of gratitude to RSE for exceeding all my expectations as an employer. While settling into my new role has its challenges, like any project that takes time to reach completion, I have no doubt that with RSE’s unwavering support, I’m on the path to becoming not only a better employee but also a better person. – Ben Wardrop

Q.5 – What advice would you give to someone considering the option of starting a career in the Water Industry?

“I wholeheartedly recommend anyone considering an apprenticeship to seriously consider joining the RSE family. The opportunities here are boundless, and it’s been truly incredible to witness and be a part of the remarkable growth that our company has achieved during my time here.” – Jay Buglass

“In the water industry, particularly at RSE, there’s a resounding boom that exposes apprentices to a wide spectrum of skills and knowledge within the electrical sector. I firmly believe that this industry serves as an exceptional platform for any apprentice offering a wealth of opportunities for learning and personal development.” – Ben Wardrop

Project Manager Euan McCall has worked alongside Jay, Liam and Ben from their initial apprenticeship positions through to their current chargehand roles and had the following to say:

“Following a period of sustained growth, we had a need to expand our structure and create a number leadership positions within our offsite manufacturing team. To see Jay, Liam and Ben seizing this opportunity and stepping up to chargehand roles after initially joining RSE as apprentices is hugely encouraging. First and foremost, this is a testament to the hard work and dedication each has displayed on a continual basis as they’ve developed into first class tradesmen.

Additionally, these promotions underline RSE’s commitment to developing the next generation of highly skilled M&E operatives. Investing in apprentices is fundamentally important, and coupled with our ambitious growth strategy, opportunities for accelerated development & progression through the company will continue to present themselves.

On behalf of everybody in Dalgety Bay I’d like to congratulate Jay, Liam and Ben on their well-deserved promotions, and look forward to seeing how their careers continue to progress with RSE. Based on what I’ve seen this is just the start of things!”

Euan McCall, Project Manager

RSE would also like to further congratulate Ben Wardrop who was crowned the 2022 Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) Apprentice of the Year, in conjunction with Edmunson Electrical. Ben was presented with an award and certificate in recognition of his achievement and also received a cheque for £1,000.

Ben is now a qualified electrician after completing his studies at Forth Valley College in Falkirk. He was presented with his award by Scott Foley, Leader of the Trade Union side of the SJIB National Board, Chair of the SECTT Board of Trustees and Regional Officer at Unit the Union.

“Ben deserves this award for the dedication, discipline and enthusiasm he has displayed throughout his training. He has a stellar career ahead of him and we are proud to have played our part in his development.

We would also like to make an honourable mention for Andrew MacPherson from our Muir of Ord team who was shortlisted and received the runner up award. An all round success story for the pair and for RSE electrical apprentices as a whole.“

Lloyd Scott, RSE Electrical Operations Manager