FR Scott Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

6 February 2024

This National Apprenticeship week we look at how FR Scott has invested in people from our local community through apprenticeships. Hearing from some past apprentices about the benefits and challenges of undertaking an apprenticeship.

FR Scott has a long and positive track record of developing its colleagues through apprenticeships. Many have gone on to having successful careers within our business or used the skills learnt at FR Scott to forge a career in other areas. FR Scott currently has one active apprentice, Hayden Binns, working towards becoming an engineer in our Heating Engineering department. We asked Hayden some questions to find out how he is getting on.

We also sat down with two current colleagues who completed an apprenticeship at FR Scott to find out a little more about the process. Head of Finance and Operations Danny Green, and one of our Warehouse team Danny Randerson answer our questions about apprenticeships. (You don’t need to be called Danny to work with us – honest!)

 

 

What was your apprenticeship in?

(DG) My apprenticeship was in Accountancy & the qualification was AAT.

(DR) Mine was a level 2 in Warehousing.

(HB) Apprenticeship is in Plumbing and Heating.

Tell us about some of the tasks you undertook at FR Scott during your apprenticeship

(DG) I spent the 1st 6 months making the tea (very badly), folding customer invoices/statements & putting them in envelopes and inputting supplier invoices! Meanwhile, observing & understanding the basic principles of how an office is ran & learning how to engage properly with grown ups!

(DR) I did a variety of warehouse roles, firstly shadowing, then doing on my own. Picking orders, Packing orders and goods inwards. I learnt the dispatch process for our local customers and for our national customers via our Fix and Fast fixings site.

(HB) I’ve been doing things like helping to install new boilers and heating systems. Recently have also been installing new waste pipework in a local block of flats

 

 

Did you enjoy your apprenticeship at FR Scott?

(DG) Not initially – it was my 1st ‘proper job’ & the world of work was a bit of a shock to the system. I started FR Scott on a Thursday & told my mum I wasn’t going back on the Monday. She told me in a frank manner to get my a** back & stick it out….and I’m so glad she did!

(DR) Absolutely, its was good. It was my first job, I was only 18 so everything was brand new to me. Enjoyed learning whilst doing and to get paid at same time was even better.

(HB) Yes. Since starting at FR Scott I have been fully supported in my role as an apprentice. I really enjoy working with a number of different qualified professionals every day. Learning different ways on how to approach tasks, deal with faults and problem solve.

 

 

How important was your apprenticeship to your current role now at FR Scott?

(DG) Extremely important, I’d go as far as saying my apprenticeship was critical to where I am today. For 16 years the business has consistently given me the opportunity to learn, fail & grow into the role I’ve got today. I’ll be eternally grateful for that. I feel like I’m still on an apprenticeship now with the learning curves & changes we’ve got going on!

(DR) Very important. It was little baby steps at the start though what I learnt helped me massively.  I now oversee our the warehouse process for our online fixing website from beginning to end. Receiving orders, picking the bolts, tools and screws and dispatching them. I have to dispatch orders to customers same day so sometimes I’m up against the clock. It’s pleasing to see that the Fix and Fast arm of the business is rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with lots of positive feedback on dispatch times.

(HB) It is very important. My apprenticeship will help me get qualified which will mean I can progress within the company

FR Scott are Hulls largest independent supplier of fixings, fasteners, tools and ironmongery. Serving public and businesses both locally and nationally since 1945.

With a huge range of products all held on stock at our 30,000 square foot warehouse. All available for same day local delivery and next day national delivery. Trade credit accounts with up to 60 days to pay are also available

Contact the team on 01482 324731 or email sales@frscott.co.uk to open an account