It’s been a long time since Chris Morris first joined Electrolux Professional as an apprentice back in 1995. We had a chat with Chris to reminisce on old times…

Chris, thanks for joining us today. If I can take you back to 1995, why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?

It’s fair to say that I wasn’t an academic and I left school with poor qualifications. Because of this higher education wasn’t an option unless I did resits and my parents were adamant that I secured a trade to fall back on. An apprenticeship offered me an alternative route and I found Electrolux Professional off my own back. The rest they say is history.

So what has happened since then?

Well I completed my apprenticeship in 1999 and naturally came away with the qualification I wanted but also a fulltime role at Electrolux. I was originally aiming to become an electrician for the company but now actually work on the gas side of things as a Senior Product Support Technician. I’m not so hands-on these days but coming up through the ranks from an apprenticeship to eventually be responsible for supporting service and sales with technical information and carry out engineer training is a great achievement I feel.

Having gone through the whole process, what advice would you give to people considering an apprenticeship or perhaps considering taking on an apprentice of their own?

I think these words of wisdom apply to both when I say that an apprenticeship is a huge challenge! If you think being an apprentice means being the ‘tea-boy or girl’ then you’re completely wrong. Apprenticeships are not easy and should no way be considered as ‘just a job’. The company is investing time and money to train you up so you really have to prove your worth but if you’re committed to making something of your future – then grab it with both hands.

So it’s fair to assume that if you had the chance to rewrite history…you’d make the same choice?

I underachieved at school and it wasn’t because I was any less intelligent than those who secured high grades but simply because I struggled with the academic environment. The apprenticeship gave me the same learning environment but the opportunity to prove myself in a different capacity. I really excelled at this and haven’t looked back since.

Well done Chris, you’re a great example to future apprentices.

Chris’ success illustrates not only the opportunities available to an apprentice, but also the value that someone of his calibre brings to organisation.

If you’d like to explore apprenticeships further, get in touch with us here.