Meet James Turley, Plumbing/Domestic Heating Lecturer at GC

We're gearing up for the September 2022 starts of our construction and building services apprenticeship programmes at GC. This month, we're catching up with our construction and building services trainers, to see what inspired them to learn a trade and why they enjoy teaching apprentices.

James Turley, Trainer in Construction/Plumbing & Heating has been teaching at the College for 6 years having joined the industry as a 17 year-old apprentice.

About getting into teaching

“After completing my apprenticeship, I stayed in the industry for a few more years, having worked as a gas engineer for Vaillant, and also starting my own business.

One day, I was invited to do some cover work at another college, loved teaching; so when the opportunity at GC came about, I went for it."

About Plumbing and Domestic Heating apprenticeship

"At GC, I teach apprenticeship standard in Plumbing and Domestic Heating. It brings together learning at the trade side with learning at the College and has been designed to incorporate better standards in the plumbing industry, including behaviours, skills and knowledge.

Plumbing opens avenues to many opportunities, as plumbers are always in demand; even during the pandemic the industry was booming. The times have changed and the skills and requirements of the industry have changed with them. The scope of plumbing is huge. For example, one can become a Degree level Gas Engineer keeping people’s homes safe or a multiskilled person."

About apprentices

"Apprentices are not someone you just work with, they are the talent to nurture and develop. Apprentices are usually enthusiastic, good with new technology – they have a lot to bring to the table, and it is beneficial to the employer.

When I was running my own business, I needed extra help and took on an apprentice. I wanted to pass on my knowledge and to help them get the first-hand-experience of the industry.

Apprenticeships create a strong partnership between the college, an apprentice and an employer. To be successful, everyone gets to work together – employers bring their industry experience into the College, and apprentices bring their knowledge and skills mastered at the College back to the employer.

At GC, we have the staff with 40 years of industry experience and commitment to the success of our apprentices. We listen to their feedback as well as to feedback from their employers and adapt our training and facilities accordingly. We teach our apprentices responsibilities for their tool kits during the College training making sure they develop good practices, discipline and customer service from the very start."

About the best part of the job

"The best part of my job is seeing apprentices’ faces when they’ve learnt and understood something, that “eureka” moment is priceless. I would encourage anyone looking for an apprenticeship in Plumbing to do their research, search for and get in touch with potential employers, and be positive as future rewards outweigh all the difficulties.”

If your business is interested in training a construction or building services apprentice, find out more here for construction apprenticeships, or contact the Employer Training & Apprenticeships team on 01452 563400 or email employer.training@gloscol.ac.uk