Supporting National Apprenticeship Week
A leading North East energy firm is celebrating its commitment to recruiting apprentices and the impact they make on the business by giving them valuable on-site work experience whilst completing their qualifications.
National firm PHS Home Solutions, which is headquartered in Houghton-le-Spring and includes 0800 Repair, Oakes Energy Services and PHS Solutions, currently supports 23 apprentices across the entire business.
The firm which specialises in insulation, heating and renewable energy solutions for homes and business across the UK is leading the way to supporting apprentices and providing them with the experience and qualifications they need to succeed in their careers.
Heating and gas engineers, building services engineers, electricians, joiners and customer services apprentices are just some of the full-time roles that have been filled within the business.
Faith Pallister, 18, has been working at 0800 Repair for a year and half and joined as a Customer Service Apprentice. After leaving school she always wanted to work with animals and pursue a career in veterinary nursing but didn’t have the qualifications needed so she applied for an apprenticeship role to give her valuable experience of working in Customer Services and to pass her Level 2 Maths and English qualifications.
Working with Zenith Training, her tutor comes on site to work with Faith on a one-to-one basis and is on track to complete her apprenticeship later this year. She said: “I have learnt so much in this role and 0800 Repair has been brilliant and supported me through my apprenticeship. You need good customer service in any job and the role has given me the confidence to listen and talk to customers. Apprenticeships are a great way to get first-hand work experience while gaining additional qualifications – I’d recommend it to anyone thinking of wanting to push themselves further.”
Apprenticeships are not just for school leavers and young people. Dale Green, 42, is working as an apprentice gas engineer at 0800 Repair and over the last year and a half, hasn’t looked back. He is a welder fabricator by trade, but after working for the same company for over 20 years in various roles, he decided on a completely different career change and realised an apprenticeship would give him that platform.
He has almost completed his 15-month apprenticeship and the company has supported him to attend training with Ignite Training in North Shields one day per week. He is just waiting for his End Point Assessment (EPA), which is the final, independent test for apprentices in England, evaluating if they have achieved occupational competence in their field.
Commenting on his role, Dale said: “Age shouldn’t be a barrier to learning a new career or gaining additional qualifications. This apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to do something I’ve always wanted to do and I am very grateful to 0800 Repair for supporting me. Hopefully, I can continue to apply my trade here with the company and give something back to them for supporting me. I enjoy the challenges of the job and working and meeting new customers each day.”
Another apprentice making a difference is Chris Sime, 19, who works as a Design Engineer with Oakes Energy Services. After completing work experience in the sector, he left school and applied for a Level 3 Building Services Engineering Technician Course and is studying at Newcastle College University Centre for a Level 5 Foundation Degree in Electrical Engineering.
His role is to design and price Solar PV systems on commercial buildings and believes the apprenticeship has developed him quicker than going to college or sixth form. He commented: “Being able to be taught from leading engineers in the industry, also helps me grow more as person, as I am pushed into more scenarios like client meetings that make me gain confidence.”
Last year, Chris impressed industry bosses so much he picked up the 2025 North East Apprentice of the Year award at the Energy Efficiency Awards and is keen to develop further. He said: “I feel I have been able to make a positive impact within the office and I am now also a mentor to our two newer apprentices. I would 100% recommend an apprenticeship route to others, due to the real work experience that you gain within your dream industry being very hard to come by in the earlier stages of your life.”
Michael Pallister, Operations Director at 0800 Repair said: “As an organisation that is committed to creating and supporting apprenticeships, we are pleased to be able to support so many apprentices across the business. Reading Faith, Dale and Chris’ experiences, regardless of age, if you are focussed and want to succeed, you can be successful and 0800 Repair and Oakes will support you on that journey.”
The company is highlighting its commitment to supporting apprentices as part of National Apprenticeship Week – a week-long celebration (9-15 February) that brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
