Electrical Testing Ltd

Apprenticeship training supports succession planning at Electrical Testing Ltd

For smaller employers, in particular, the value of an apprenticeship lies not only in ensuring the team has the required skills for current business needs – it can also play a role in succession planning. 

This has been the case for Acle-based Electrical Testing Ltd, which specialises in electrical inspection and testing of street lighting in cities and on highways across the country.


For a small business with highly specialised services, there are a lot of advantages to training an apprentice from scratch and providing a firm grounding in the systems and processes that support those operations.   

Electrical Testing Ltd employed an Accounts Finance Assistant apprentice in September 2023, who was mentored and supported through the qualification by Barbara Allcock (Finance Manager).

Barbara is now supporting the apprentice’s progression on the Assistant Accountant apprenticeship at Level 3.   

The intention has always been that the apprentice will be mentored to take on Barbara's responsibilities when she retires.

Barbara has taken a very focussed approach to the workplace training, to not only teach the apprentice the necessary tasks and duties but to develop their sense of responsibility and independence. 

This support provided has led to their apprentice being exposed to a wide variety of tasks which has helped them to develop their problem solving-skills and independence.

Electrical Testing Ltd has been fully invested in the apprenticeship, providing valuable feedback on progress, setting realistic and challenging goals and a comprehensive development plan. 

Barbara continues to share her experience and insights, which has undoubtedly led to the apprentice becoming an invaluable member of the team.

The positive impact that this training is having for the apprentice, and for the business as it prepares for the transition around a key role, was recognised at City College Norwich’s Apprenticeship Awards, where Electrical Testing Ltd was presented with the Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (Small) award.