When Adam Souter was considering career options, he wanted something that combined the opportunity to build practical skills with long-term prospects.
After a short stint of work experience with a local electrician, he knew he’d found the right path. That decision, and his determination to excel, have taken him to the national finals of SkillELECTRIC, the UK’s leading competition for electrotechnical apprentices.
Adam’s interest in the electrotechnical sector came about through a mix of his own curiosity and some helpful guidance from family. “I tried work experience with a joiner a couple of years before, and while I enjoyed it, I knew it wasn’t for me,” he explains. “My cousin was a sparky and said it was a good trade to have, so I thought I’d give it a go.”
That decision led him to McDonald & Munro. Miguel Gomez, Managing Director at the business, has seen Adam’s commitment firsthand: “I’ve known Adam since he was a young lad, and he’s always been determined. That shows in everything he does. If he makes a mistake, it bothers him, he wants perfection. That attitude is rare and it’s exactly what you want to see in an apprentice.”
Miguel adds: “Competitions like SkillELECTRIC give apprentices confidence and help them take on responsibility quicker than usual. It’s something we really value as a business, when we support apprentices doing these competitions it tends to pay off in the long run.
McDonald & Munro has been established for over 50 years, working across a range of large commercial projects from distilleries and defence. When it comes to training and apprenticeships, the business clearly has an approach that works. As well as Adam, they have trained a number of other apprentices, both in the electrical and plumbing divisions that have placed highly at skills competitions both in Scotland and the UK. That includes 2023 SkillELECTRIC winner Craig Fairweather who learnt his trade with McDonald & Munro. The business’s impressive track record is a testament to the structure and training they offer as well as the mentorship and drive to maintain high standards.
The SkillELECTRIC challenge
Adam’s journey to the finals began earlier this year and follows his success in the Scottish Apprentice of the Year competition. “That was a great starting point,” he says.
“SkillELECTRIC is on a much bigger scale, so I knew I had to step up.”
The heats tested his ability to work under pressure. “Time is tight, so you have to stay level-headed and just get to work,” Adam explains. “I’ve been practising every night on the details because there are very fine margins.”
Beyond the competition
Adam’s preparation for SkillELECTRIC has sharpened his skills on site. “Testing, containment, working to tight tolerances, those are things I’ve been practising for the competition, and now I use them every day,” he says. “It’s made me more precise and more confident.”
Looking ahead
Adam knows the finals will be tough, but he’s focused on giving his best. “I’m nervous, of course, but I’ve put the work in. On the day, it’s about staying calm and doing what I’ve practised,” he says.
With the support of his employer and the experience gained from SkillELECTRIC, Adam is ready for the next stage of his career. “There’s so much variety in this trade, distilleries, commercial, domestic, renewables and that keeps you learning. I want to keep building my skills and become the best electrician I can.”
McDonald & Munro’s commitment to apprenticeships is clear.
As Miguel puts it: “We don’t just train electricians, we develop complete professionals, and Adam is a great example of that.”
"Competitions like SkillELECTRIC give apprentices confidence and help them take on responsibility quicker than usual."
Miguel Gomez, McDonald & Munro
