. . . Adam Jordan, Electrician at TES Group.
So Adam, tell us how long you’ve been working for TES Group and where you’re based?
I’ve been working for TES, or TES Group as we’re now known, for the past 5 and a half years. I started back in February 2012 as an electrical apprentice, it was my first proper job, and I have always been based out of our Headquarters in Co.Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
What were you doing prior to Joining TES?
After I finished my secondary school education, I took up an electrical installation course at Dungannon Technical College. I always had an interest in working with my hands, and specifically liked the idea of becoming an electrician or engineer. I had a few family members that were self-employed electricians at the time and they always spoke very highly of it as a career path.
As part of my course, I had to seek a part-time work placement to gain hands on experience, and this is when I approached TES. At the time, I knew very little about the company, only what I had researched online or been told when asking about local electrical engineering companies. For me, they were local, well respected and willing to take on aspiring electrical students as they grew across the UK.
Not long after I joined TES, I was advised of a more progressive electrical course, (still local) which would coincide better with my work placement, and so I made the switch to Portadown College and began a course through ETT (The Electrical Training Trust) which would last approximately 4 years.
My first year consisted of 2 days a week at college doing theory, and 3 days working in the TES Workshop as my practical. My second year, was 1 day at college, and 4 days in the workshop, and my 3rd year consisted of only 1 day a month at college, meaning I was essentially working full-time for TES. During my 4th year, I didn’t have to attend college, instead my objective was to complete course work and develop a portfolio, once complete I took my AM2 final exam, which I passed and became a fully qualified electrician.
During the earlier stages of working for TES, what did your day comprise of?
In the initial couple of years with TES I learnt how to read electrical schematics/drawings, gained a sound knowledge of electrical components (relays, relay logic, contactors, mcb’s etc.) I also gained a particularly strong knowledge about all things MCC and Switchgear related.
I learned how to use the various hand tools, power tools, testing equipment and digital devices, all the while being trained and mentored by senior electrical engineers and control panel builders.
What does your current role entail on a daily basis?
Day-to-day at the moment, consists mainly of building, testing and commissioning electrical control panels for Northern Ireland Water service reservoirs.
This would include completing factory acceptance tests in-house, and then going on site to various locations across NI to install and setup the systems. I would usually spend 2-5 days a month out on site, and the rest of my time would be spent at HQ in the workshop.
In terms of interaction & responsibility, who do you work with and report to most?
At this stage of my career within TES, I have a lot of responsibility myself and would be a senior member of staff, this said I would work very closely with both the workshop managers and other senior panel testing staff members. I would also liaise very closely with clients and have great long-term relationships with several members of Northern Ireland Water.
What are some of the benefits of working for the TES?
Aside from the job security and potential to progress in the company – TES look after their employees well and the working environment is very enjoyable. We have great holidays, team building events, an annual BBQ, occasional pizza Fridays and partake in events for charity too, like the recent Belfast City Marathon.
Outside of work – how do you spend your free time?
My hobby as some may know is motorcycle racing, whether its road racing or track racing in the Irish Championship Short Circuit.
I’ve been very fortunate to come from a family of motorbike enthusiasts and had great support from the local community pursuing my passion.
It’s also worth mentioning I’ve had great support and backing from everyone at TES, including workmates and company directors who have kindly sponsored me for the race season ahead.
Other interests outside of work, aside from the sport of motorcycle racing, would be keeping fit, using the gym & taking part in charity events, like the Belfast City Marathon & Charity truck pull which i took part in earlier this year.
Due to your experience & time at TES, are there any areas you feel could be improved upon?
In recent years we have taken the in-house training programme to a whole new level for new staff members, which has been a huge success in our various locations across the UK. My training and education here has been second-to-none, and all I would suggest is to continue with this strategy as we grow and the company will continue to go from strength-to-strength!
As a qualified and experienced team member, do you have any professional objectives or career goals? The age old question – Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I was asked this recently by one of the company directors, and I didn’t really know what to say as I really enjoy my current role at present and could only say that I hope to progress into a more managerial role as I get older. I’ve thought about it more since then, and one area which I would like to get into more would be PLC programming, I’ve already taken steps to do this, and have just recently began some in-house training with one of our PLC programmers. We have also discussed registering for an online training course which would develop my skills in PLC Programming even further.
Thanks for your time Adam, do you have any final thoughts for someone who doesn’t know our company and may be considering working for us in the future?
The only final words or advice I could give would be to research your college or uni course content and ensure that the course you are doing (or going to do) is going to put you in good stead and be relevant to the career path you want to pursue. If you have any questions or queries when it comes to electrical or mechanical engineering courses or careers here at TES, just give the guys at HQ a call, they’re very helpful about things like that.
