From Apprentice to Lecturer: Shaun Williams’ full-circle journey
The Shared Apprenticeship Scheme proudly marks a major milestone – becoming the first of its kind in the UK to reach 1,000 apprentices. It’s inspiring to see how far our apprentices go – and for Shaun Williams, that journey has come full circle. Having begun as an electrical apprentice in 2012, he’s now an Electrical Lecturer at Coleg Sir Gar’s Ammanford Campus.
Shaun chose the apprenticeship route because it offered the chance to learn while earning, and to experience different workplaces and environments along the way. “Some of my family work in construction and encouraged me to go down the electrical route,” he says. “I liked the idea of moving around and seeing different places while working and learning the trade.”
During his apprenticeship, Shaun worked on everything from domestic house rewires to large school new builds and renovations. It gave him a broad understanding of electrical systems and the confidence to tackle a variety of jobs.
The Shared Apprenticeship Scheme supported Shaun throughout, making sure he was getting the right experience to complete his NVQ. “They always checked I was covering the evidence I needed,” he explains. “At one point I wasn’t getting enough electrical testing experience, so they arranged for me to spend a few weeks just doing testing. It really helped me build confidence for my AM2 exam.”
He credits much of his early progress to the people who supported him. “Anthony gave me the chance initially, and Lynette, my placement co-ordinator at the time, checked in every week to see how I was doing and organised extra training when I needed it.”
For Shaun, one of the biggest advantages of the shared apprenticeship scheme was the security. “When one company ran out of work, Lynette had me placed with another employer the following week. I was never left without work.”
After qualifying as an electrician, Shaun worked on a wide mix of projects including solar panel and EV charger installations, hotel refurbishments and new-build housing. In 2016, he returned to Cyfle – this time as a member of staff!
“I knew how supportive the team was, so when I interviewed on a Thursday and Anthony asked if I could go to Uganda the following Monday to fix an electrical issue in a hospital in Mbale, I had to say yes!”
Shaun spent the next few years as a placement co-ordinator and training advisor, delivering low-carbon and renewable energy training to apprentices and students across Coleg Sir Gar, NPTC Group of Colleges, and even at Swansea Prison.
In 2023, he took his next step in becoming an Electrical Lecturer at Coleg Sir Gar, teaching apprentices from Level 1 to Level 3.
“Without Cyfle, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Shaun says. “They gave me the technical skills, the confidence to support others, and eventually the belief that I could become a lecturer. They were also there for me personally when I went through tough times, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”
Shaun’s advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship is simple: “Go for it. The people you meet are genuine and want to help you. There are so many directions your career can go. Apprenticeships can sometimes be hard to come by, so apply yourself correctly and hopefully you will see the rewards.”
Shaun also believes apprenticeships are vital for the future of the industry. “Construction needs more people. It’s a brilliant industry to be part of, and you’ll make friends for life. And there’s good money to be made too, which is always a bonus!”
Shaun’s story shows how far an apprenticeship can take you, from learning the trade on site to teaching the next generation in the classroom.