Jakub Matuszek

I've worked on a range of projects during my apprenticeship, primarily commercial and industrial work. I performed extensive electrical inspection and testing, and I've installed a variety of containment systems and wiring methods in various locations, such as hospitals, schools, industrial warehouses, airports, and office buildings. During the final year of my apprenticeship, I had the chance to assist with the upgrade of a high-voltage transformer on a remote island called St Kilda, which is only reachable by small boat or helicopter.

After receiving my qualification, I worked for more than a year in England installing surveillance radars for the MOD on RAF stations, as a member of a division known as the Marshal Project. This gave me some mechanical experience and knowledge. I completed my tower and rescue training, which allowed me to climb radar towers and masts, installing antennas, working closely with telehandlers and crane operators to complete these procedures. The last four jobs I have had since I became an electrician have been the most satisfying and enjoyable ones. They have all involved installing industrial low voltage power and lighting at substations in places such as Peterhead, Beauly, Rothienorman, and now Lerwick.

My greatest accomplishment to date is that I was promoted to Supervisor at Rothienorman substation and successfully completed an industrial electrical installation that included three-phase, a variety of metal containment, SWA cables, and hazardous area works like the battery room. Among my responsibilities were point-of-work risk assessments, daily site coordination meetings, and client site meetings. To keep the job proceeding according to the work programme, I had to deal with tracking material usage, and placing further orders. I gained leadership experience overseeing a team of seven people, two of whom were apprentices, and I had to make sure I assigned them meaningful work so they could gain experience. Additionally, I oversaw and managed our subcontractors, including the ventilation, aircon, fire, and security engineers. Since I was the site electrical AP, I was therefore responsible and in charge of isolations, testing, and safe working practices.