Based in Maulden, Bedfordshire, D A Woolgar Ltd was founded in 1962 by David Woolgar. Initially providing both domestic and commercial electrical installation, they acquired their first local authority contract in 1967. As well as providing standard electrical services in and around the Bedford area, the company specialises in underfloor heating installations across the south of the UK. Since 2001, when David’s son Andrew Woolgar took up the reins as director, the company has grown from a staff of four to 18. In the last three years, D A Woolgar has taken on five trainees. Apprentices have always been a part of the company’s structure – indeed, Andrew was an apprentice with the company himself.
“We find that apprenticeships are the most effective way of getting the right people well trained within the business,” he explains. “All of the apprentices are progressing well and the engineering team have nothing but praise for them. The apprentices are integral to the growth structure of the business. We find it easier to find a young person and train them. All of the engineers are active in their continual development and through this process we have a very good team. Having seen the stresses of recruiting an experienced engineer and the uncertainty of not knowing their skills level, we can say that getting young people in and training them is our preferred way of getting new team members.”
D A Woolgar has always embraced innovation in terms of technology and working practices, and in this spirit recently decided it was time to challenge the traditional demographics of the industry by actively seeking two female apprentices. JTL was able to not only vet and select two excellent female candidates.
