Family firm John Williams Heating Services is celebrating after taking home two awards at the Wiltshire College and University Centre (WCUC) Apprenticeship Awards 2024 – a tribute to their continued commitment to apprentices.
The firm, based on the Bumpers Farm Industrial Estate in Chippenham, was awarded Small Apprentice Employer of the Year and their apprentice Joshua Lamb was named Gas Engineer Apprentice of the Year.
Debbie Williams, who co-founded the business with her husband John 20 years ago, said the team are over the moon to have received the awards.
“We’re so thrilled and humbled to be acknowledged in this way,” said Debbie. “We believe strongly in the importance and value of apprenticeships. John started as an apprentice as a teenager and we know what a difference a good, solid apprenticeship can make. To receive these two awards is a real honour.”
Debbie says the business has worked with to employ keen young people who want to learn a valuable trade and do well. They currently have six apprentices in their team.
“Apprenticeships are a brilliant choice for young people who want to get out into work and learn useful skills,” said Debbie. “We’re so pleased that this real-world value is being recognised with awards such as these.”
More than 120 guests attended the WCUC Apprenticeship Awards 2024 and the winners received their honours from Iain Hatt, the Principal and Chief Executive of Wiltshire College & University Centre and Ruth Lambert, who is Development Manager for Somerset and Wiltshire at the Federation of Small Businesses.
Joshua Lamb, who was awarded the title of Gas Engineering Apprentice of the Year, says it was an amazing feeling to win.
“It’s really exciting to have been given such an honour,” said Josh. “It’s brilliant doing my apprenticeship through John and Debbie as they are so supportive and encouraging and I feel like I’ve learned a lot from them both. I absolutely love what I do but never imagined I would win any awards! It’s an incredible privilege and I honestly couldn’t be happier.”
Josh says that although he enjoyed school, the world of work was more appealing to him than staying on after his GCSEs. An apprenticeship therefore seemed like the obvious choice.
“The structure of an apprenticeship really appealed to me as I am a practical person and have always been a hard worker,” said Josh. “I get a lot of satisfaction from doing a good job for each customer we help and it’s rewarding to know our skills and knowledge make a difference.”
Debbie Williams said she is thrilled for Josh and is proud of the achievements of all their apprentices over the years.
“We have recently employed our 20th apprentice and we love seeing them learn, do well, and go on to be great at their jobs” said Debbie, “I’m proud of Josh and all of our apprentices and would encourage any young person to consider this as a fantastic route to a rewarding career.”
John Williams Heating Services Ltd is Gas Safe registered, a member of OFTEC (the trade association monitoring best practice in oil heating installation and repair) and a Worcester accredited installer. For more details visit: https://jwheating.co.uk/