East Belfast-based young apprentice, Rory Nelson (20) has been appointed as a gas engineering apprentice with Phoenix Energy Services. Pictured handing over keys to his new vehicle is Phoenix Energy Services Operations Manager, Duncan Whelan.

Rory Nelson (20) from East Belfast has been appointed as a gas engineering apprentice with Phoenix Energy Services.

The young recruit recently joined the company’s apprenticeship scheme earlier this year to learn the gas trade and work towards obtaining a full time role as a Gas Service Engineer. The extensive training programme involves long periods of working on asset maintenance, boiler repairs, system servicing and inspections.

Duncan Whelan, Operations Manager of Phoenix Energy Services, said, “Phoenix Energy Services employed its first apprentice in 2002 and today over three quarters of the team have come through the apprenticeship scheme. It’s something that the company is hugely committed to investing in and our latest intake of apprentices will see an investment of over £200,000 over the next three years.

“Phoenix Energy Services has always aimed to train up local people and I am delighted to welcome Rory to the team. Rory showed great initiative and a genuine enthusiasm for the trade so it was an easy choice for us to add him to our growing team of apprentices.

“Our apprenticeship scheme exists to nurture and develop talent and encourage more young people into a career within the natural gas industry, which now employs over 3,000 people throughout Northern Ireland. A key aim of the scheme is to attract and retain local talent and up skill workers within our own community and this year’s intake of apprentices have great promise and a bright future ahead of them with Northern Ireland’s leading gas company.”

Commenting on the appointment, Rory said, “I left school after my A-levels to pursue a career in personal training however after a couple of years I realised that this was not what I wanted to do. I was keen to get a qualification and explore opportunities in the plumbing and heating industry and that’s when I came across the Phoenix Energy Services apprenticeship scheme. I recognised this to be a fantastic opportunity to work with Northern Ireland’s leading gas company and to learn from the best, so I was delighted when I heard that I had been accepted on to the programme. My aim is to work hard over the next few years and learn as much as I can to ultimately secure a full time role as a qualified Gas Engineer with the company.

“The apprenticeship scheme is a great way to get into the industry and learn a trade and get qualifications, whilst still working. I’m working with a great team of engineers who are experts in their field and I’m keen to learn as much as possible to make myself the best engineer I can possibly be.”

For more information on the benefits of natural gas visit www.phoenixnaturalgas.com or for more information on the Phoenix Energy Services Apprenticeship scheme visit www.phoenixenergyservices.com. 

For more information on the Phoenix Energy Services Apprenticeship Scheme visit www.phoenixenergyservices.com.