Former apprentice and 2023 SkillELECTRIC finalist Demi Whitehead on breaking into the electrical industry and working on renewable technologies
Debbie Shields | Communications Manager
The start of the journey
Former apprentice and 2023 SkillELECTRIC finalist, Demi Whitehead, has had her mind set on a career in the electrical industry since the age of 13. With family members including her dad and grandad in the construction industry, she decided she wanted to follow in their footsteps after spending time with them on jobs during the school holidays.
Determined to pursue a career in the trade, Demi applied for an apprenticeship with her now-employer, NICEIC-certified business, William Davies Homes, after the business visited her school to give a talk on apprenticeships. Demi was successful in securing a placement and has worked at the company ever since.
What happened next
After joining William Davies Homes at the age of 16, Demi quickly became embedded into the world of electrics. She soon found her feet and has nothing but positive things to say about her apprenticeship.
Some of her highlights include the friends she made on site and at college as well as the support she received from her employer and tutors during her apprenticeship. According to Demi, her biggest achievement during the four years came when she first wired a house on her own, she said: “I just stood back to take it all in, I was so proud.”
In November 2023, during the final year of her apprenticeship, Demi beat hundreds of other apprentices to make it to the finals of SkillELECTRIC. The competition, which searches for the best electrical apprentice in the country, requires participants to complete a series of practical tasks which allowed Demi to put her new skills into action.
Just a few months later in January 2024, Demi completed her apprenticeship and has gone on to thrive in her role as a qualified electrician. Her job sees her travel to various William Davies Homes’ development sites to first-fix and second-fix properties ready for new home owners, as well as embracing emerging renewable technologies like solar PV and electric vehicle charging points (EVCP).
Next steps
One of Demi’s favourite things about working in the electrical industry is its ever evolving nature. Demi said: “I always want to keep learning and that’s what is great about this trade, everything is developing so quickly so you need to keep up otherwise you'll get left behind.”
In her current role, Demi works on solar PVs and EVCPs “I really enjoy working on EVCPs and solar PVs as they’re skills that you can take out into the real world” she said, “people are always asking me about both technologies as they’re still relatively new, so it’s great that I’ve been able to learn about them, understand how they actually work and then put that into practice.”
Demi’s advice
“I like to promote apprenticeships to everyone coming out of school because you’re off to a head start when you complete one. If you secure an apprenticeship as soon as you finish school at 16, by the time you’re done, you’re qualified in the trade at the age of 20 – it’s a fantastic way to learn skills, gain experience and set yourself up for a career which offers so many opportunities.”
Former apprentice and 2023 SkillELECTRIC finalist, Demi Whitehead, has had her mind set on a career in the electrical industry since the age of 13. With family members including her dad and grandad in the construction industry, she decided she wanted to follow in their footsteps after spending time with them on jobs during the school holidays.
Determined to pursue a career in the trade, Demi applied for an apprenticeship with her now-employer, NICEIC-certified business, William Davies Homes, after the business visited her school to give a talk on apprenticeships. Demi was successful in securing a placement and has worked at the company ever since.
What happened next
After joining William Davies Homes at the age of 16, Demi quickly became embedded into the world of electrics. She soon found her feet and has nothing but positive things to say about her apprenticeship.
Some of her highlights include the friends she made on site and at college as well as the support she received from her employer and tutors during her apprenticeship. According to Demi, her biggest achievement during the four years came when she first wired a house on her own, she said: “I just stood back to take it all in, I was so proud.”
In November 2023, during the final year of her apprenticeship, Demi beat hundreds of other apprentices to make it to the finals of SkillELECTRIC. The competition, which searches for the best electrical apprentice in the country, requires participants to complete a series of practical tasks which allowed Demi to put her new skills into action.
Just a few months later in January 2024, Demi completed her apprenticeship and has gone on to thrive in her role as a qualified electrician. Her job sees her travel to various William Davies Homes’ development sites to first-fix and second-fix properties ready for new home owners, as well as embracing emerging renewable technologies like solar PV and electric vehicle charging points (EVCP).
Next steps
One of Demi’s favourite things about working in the electrical industry is its ever evolving nature. Demi said: “I always want to keep learning and that’s what is great about this trade, everything is developing so quickly so you need to keep up otherwise you'll get left behind.”
In her current role, Demi works on solar PVs and EVCPs “I really enjoy working on EVCPs and solar PVs as they’re skills that you can take out into the real world” she said, “people are always asking me about both technologies as they’re still relatively new, so it’s great that I’ve been able to learn about them, understand how they actually work and then put that into practice.”
Demi’s advice
“I like to promote apprenticeships to everyone coming out of school because you’re off to a head start when you complete one. If you secure an apprenticeship as soon as you finish school at 16, by the time you’re done, you’re qualified in the trade at the age of 20 – it’s a fantastic way to learn skills, gain experience and set yourself up for a career which offers so many opportunities.”
