Rob Pearce was always keen to learn a trade, something he could build a successful career around. Having initially embarked upon a full-time Electrical Installation course, Rob was fortunate to be introduced to Keith Harley of Solo Electrical (UK) Ltd, a meeting which resulted in Rob moving from the full-time course onto an Electrical Apprenticeship at Eastleigh College.

Keith was working 'solo' at the time, often subcontracting work that was simply too much for him to manage on his own. Keith offered Rob work experience during the summer holidays as a trial, then happily decided to take the plunge and employ him as an apprentice.

Rob is now a fully qualified electrician having completed his Apprenticeship, and is delighted with the progress he has made over the past three years, commenting:

"I was a little worried at the start of the second year of the Apprenticeship, but I was encouraged to persevere by my Eastleigh College tutors and it really paid off. Everything suddenly clicked, and I've got no regrets at all."

Through his dedication to his training on and off-the-job, Rob was announced as Apprentice of the Year at Eastleigh College's Annual Awards in 2011. Keith has seen the impact Rob has had on his company, and is so pleased with the whole experience that he's planning to take on another apprentice through Eastleigh College, whilst also putting Rob through additional qualifications to further develop his skills. Keith commented:

"It's great to have someone onboard who I can trust to do the job to the standards I expect. I've been able to train Rob on-the-job for nearly four years, and I'm confident in his ability to do the job properly. I've also put him through a testing and inspection course, which means there's even more he can do without my supervision. Hopefully this will help the company grow, and who knows, in a few years maybe Rob might take over the business!"

Rob feels he's gained more than just electrical installation skills, and is very grateful for the support he's received throughout his Apprenticeship. He said:

"So far I've been able to work on a wide variety of different jobs, which has given me much more confidence in my own ability. Now that I'm qualified I am able to liaise directly with the clients and my people skills have improved a great deal. I couldn't have asked for anything more from Keith, he's been brilliant. He's been very approachable, so it's easy for me to ask for help or advice when I've needed it."

So is the future bright for this rising star? Rob added:

"I believe that whatever effort you put in, you will be rewarded for. At the moment I'm just working hard to develop my skills and experience, and make the most of the opportunity I've been given."