A former electrician has found his spark in the construction industry with John Sutch Cranes after a neighbour put him in the frame.
Alex Griffiths, 17, had taken the first steps to being an electrician as he signed on the dotted line with a local Liverpool company, but soon he was heading to the crane industry after John Sutch offered the teenager a golden opportunity.
He said: “I was doing an apprenticeship to be an electrician, but it just didn’t suit me. That happens sometimes and I just didn’t know what I was going to do next in all honesty.
“I happened to mention my situation to my neighbour, a trainer in the crane industry, who mentioned it to John and here I am and I couldn’t be happier.
“I could never see myself as an electrician on site. I liked some of the site work but it wasn’t me. I wanted to try something else and I was made up when my neighbour got me in with John and the team.”
Alex’s enthusiasm and willingness to learn prompted Hayley Sutch, Designate MD, Paul Parry, Sales Manager, and Paul Conneely, Operations Manager, to hand the young man a chance.
And seven months later that chance paid off with Alex transforming himself from the toolbox to the slings as he gets to grips with his new skills as a slinger for John Sutch Cranes.
Alex added: “I managed to get all my tickets. I enjoyed the training and I’ve surprised myself a bit in that I’m learning loads out on site. It’s been a steep learning curve and one that I’m so glad I took. I just hope I’m doing what the bosses want out of me!”
There’s no chance of Alex taking the foot of the gas, but it was a slow start, Hayley says, because of the Liverpool lad’s age. But such is John Sutch Cranes commitment to developing the next wave of construction talent, the team persevered.
She explained: “With Alex being a young person out on site we couldn’t always get him out in ‘live’ action, and he’s been operating in the yard and learning from some of our most experienced team members.
“We have been in close collaboration with hand picked, loyal customers which has allowed us to give Alex some hands on experience.
“It’s an apprenticeship all of our own. We invest so much in local people in the area of Sefton. Alex lives ten minutes away, which is also beneficial for us and for him. I’d just say keep up the good work!”
