Total Automated Solutions is reaffirming its commitment to the future of engineering by actively supporting Electrical Engineering Apprentices. Within just 12 months, the company has supported York College and Leeds City College with five T-Level placement students and has recruited three new Electrical Engineering Apprentices, all from the local area.
Historically, Total Automated Solutions recruited one apprentice at a time. However, recognising the increasing need for qualified employees in their automation and control business, Company Owners Rob Iwanuschak, Kevin Chapman, and Ben Woolveridge decided to expand their apprentice intake. In 2023, the company employed two apprentices: Jamie, a 16-year-old school leaver attending York College’s Apprenticeship course, and James, a former REME soldier in the British Army. James joined with a Level-2 qualification but aimed higher for a Level-3 in Electrical Engineering.
Apprentice James first large control panel
He is attending HETA College in Hull. Both have excelled in their first year. James achieved distinctions in every category, and Jamie successfully completed his exams in record time.
Rob Iwanuschak commented, “I have witnessed both apprentices grow in their engineering skills, knowledge, and personal confidence. Jamie, a quiet teenager, tackles tasks with impressive confidence and produces excellent results. James, as an older student, has proven to be a respected team asset in the field, equally producing excellent results in his skill set.”
Jack, Certificate
Looking ahead to the 2024/25 academic year, Total Automated Solutions is further increasing its apprentice intake. For the first time, they are adding two more apprentices before the previous ones are qualified. Robert, ex-military, will attend York College as a mature student. Until his course starts in September, he is providing a much-needed extra pair of hands on-site and in the workshop.
Total Automated Solutions recognises that supporting ex-military personnel in gaining professional qualifications offers a wealth of advantages to the company due to their unique attributes. These individuals bring teamwork, adaptability, commitment, stress management, and more, all of which can significantly enhance organisational performance and culture.
A new development for Total Automated Solutions, in their preparation for future growth, is the second apprenticeship to be filled by Jacob. He will begin a Degree Apprenticeship Course at Teesside University. Initially entering the company as a T-Level placement during his second year at Leeds City College, Jacob quickly became a part of the team. Recognising his potential, Rob and the directors decided to sponsor him for a 4-Year Engineering Degree Apprenticeship at Teesside University.
Rob Iwanuschak and his fellow directors have long understood that sustaining great engineering in the UK requires qualified homegrown engineers. This philosophy, combined with the company’s growth and the evolving engineering landscape, underscores the value of both skill-based and academic engineers at Total Automated Solutions. Rob further explained, “Adding two apprentices a year may not seem a big deal, but for us it is. It’s important because, as qualified electrical engineers age out of the workplace, taking all their experience and know-how with them, we need to be prepared to replace this wealth of ability seamlessly. Additionally, we hire for the long-term, not 20 at a time and then keep only a handful.”
Jamie
They underlined this philosophy by also supporting both York College and Leeds City College for TLevel placements in engineering. A new government scheme in 2023, Total Automated Solutions have already had five T-Level students and are speaking with colleges for the upcoming year.
For the 2024/25 apprenticeship positions, the company received over 200 applicants from across Yorkshire on the UK-Gov site. While this surge in interest is encouraging for UK engineering, it was challenging to select only a couple of candidates. Rob explained, “We had to make choices that align with our current and future business needs. We remain focused on innovation and engineering excellence and are determined to nurture a strong pool of younger talent. The government initiative that supports SMEs with apprentice positions is a great asset to companies like Total Automated Solutions, enabling us to compete with larger organisations.”
Total Automated Solutions, founded in 2007, recruited its first Electrical Engineering Apprentice in 2014. Ten years later, that first apprentice, Jack, remains with the company. Over the last decade, he has progressed from the workshop to becoming a valuable site engineer, continuously adding to his skill set and taking on more responsibility. Jack stated, “The apprenticeship provided me with essential skills and knowledge, allowing me to prosper in my career at Total Automated Solutions.
No two days are the same, and I enjoy working for such a forward-thinking company. Being involved in integrating customer projects makes me feel like a valuable contributor and a valued team member.”
Company co-owner Rob Iwanuschak concluded, “Jack is a testament to the success of our apprenticeship scheme, and he continues to excel in his role. It is crucial for companies like ours to blend new ideas and methods with established engineering experience to achieve ongoing success.”
On a final note, Rob concluded, “It’s heartening to see so many young people interested in engineering and that apprenticeships are once again a top choice for school leavers. Apprentices are the way forward, which can only be a win all round!”
Rob with York College T-Level Student
About Total Automated Solutions: Total Automated Solutions is one of the UK’s top industrial automation companies, excelling in the development of industrial automation systems across a wide range of sectors. We offer broad experience and work across diverse industry sectors nationwide. Nearly 20 years in business, we provide industrial automation services for food and beverage processing, manufacturing, water and wastewater treatment, hospitality, waste recycling, airports, energy management, environment, and remote service management sectors.
Total Automated Solutions is a member of Mitsubishi Electric UK – Drives Solutions Centre and a preferred Mitsubishi Electric and Schneider Electric partner. Additionally, we have associations with many of the leading component manufacturers and suppliers in the global industrial automation market. Combined with this, we use advanced engineering techniques that create first-class manufacturing productivity solutions.
