Apprentice 121 the Truth exposed!

Catchy headline? No I thought not, but then I am not a marketing expert! Never had to be lol. But I get a few question about apprentice 121, what it is and how people can be involved etc. So I thought this might be a good way to get the message out as I have the biggest following across my social medial on LinkedIn.

Firstly it is not a mechanism to make me money, not that anyone making money from social media should be knocked or have content dismissed because of that. Good on you I say and it obviously has value. But with this it costs me money in website hosting, postage, equipment costs and the hours and hours of my time. I do this because I love it!

It started as a way to help people back into electrical apprenticeships who had lost work through Covid-19. So far it has done that over 450 times! I lose track of the numbers as this is not a bragging exercise, look at me type vanity. Some question if this is real and I don't hold a grudge towards them for it. It is just a reflection of what they feel is possible based on experiences and achievements they have made. It also shows how they expect that type of bravado perhaps because they are full of that themselves. I stand by everything apprentice 121 has done with pride. The countless DMs everyday from people sharing success in new jobs and employers chatting about the route to employ apprentices. It is truly humbling and was not expected.

Most recently the movement to give equipment away to apprentices. From individual electricians to huge brands in the industry. Staggering for me and something I take a lot of joy from. Everything that is donated into apprentice121 is given away completely free to apprentices. Huge thanks to those stepping up to do that (you know who you are).

That in essence is it, something so simple as setting time aside to listen to people, truly listen and then take action to help them. Often joining people through LinkedIn and Instagram. I also chat about issues in the apprenticeship and wider electrical industry through the A121 podcast and my YouTube channel. Something I absolutely love and we have some incredible guests coming from NETs, IET, Training companies, apprentices and Instagram stars. That is a big payback for me talking with some incredible people.

I don't want this to appear as bragging, I see a lot of that in articles and posts across LinkedIn and fair play if that is what you are about. Use the platform to your benefit as I do in the day job! Its just a genuine attempt to try and explain and show others how if they want to help and be involved then they can.

It saddens me to see the state of parts of the training industry. Individuals and companies milking it at the expense of the trade and learners. Having done so for many many years. In my opinion starting with PAT testing, but that is another story. Right now we have courses for safe isolation delivered to those without electrical qualifications, Regulations courses handed out to any and everyone, short courses miss sold with promises of gold. But we should not hide from these difficult industry issues. Accept and work to make things better is my motto.

I do not claim to be right in my opinions but I am true to them. I want to help work towards an apprenticeship system that works for learners, employers, colleges and the wider trade. The electrical industry is full of fantastic people with growth looming like never known before in my opinion. I will do all I can to champion the people who want to be part of that and who need help.

I have seen others pull people down time and time again often from the point of view of helping. I do not want to become that person and sometimes a bit of social media fame can go to a persons head. I have witnessed others targeting manufacturers of innovative products, content creators, electrical contractors and even myself. I actually feel really sorry for those doing such things as often behaviour like that comes from struggles in other places. I will always offer reason and my opinions towards such behaviour primarily to try and help those individuals.

Apprentice 121 is in a really good place doing some nice things and long may it continue. It has always been inclusive, some apprentices in A121 have said how they were removed from certain groups for asking dumb questions or wasting time etc. Everyone is welcome in A121 with whatever help they need or to offer any help they want. I am grateful to the many people doing just that, in some cases in return for similar support I have shown them in the past.

Well I guess this has rambled on long enough, just my thoughts and you can see more of them on the A121 podcast which is linked on the website here www.apprentice121.co.uk

Thanks for reading and have a brilliant day

Mark Allison