Q&A with ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year Veronica Jennings

Last year, Veronica Jennings of ECA Member firm Dalkia (formerly Imtech Engineering Services) was recognised as one of the country’s leading electrotechnical and engineering services apprentices, after winning the coveted 2022 ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year Award.

Since winning her award, Veronica has seen her career go from strength to strength. We caught up with her to gain an insight into her success, and her advice for up-and-coming electrical apprentices looking to take the next step in their career.

What was it like to win the Apprentice of the Year Award, and how it has changed your career?

I was very fortunate that my employer nominated me. From filling in the questionnaire to the final interview in London, I had the full support of my colleagues and managers. 

I can’t express how happy I am to have won for them. The ECA Edmunson Apprentice of the Year Award offers unique recognition to those of us at the very beginning of our careers and I hope that it, and the connections made from it, will help guide me to a really fulfilling and successful career. 

I have since had the chance to speak to students at an ECA event, and I have been involved in a case study to help encourage people into electrical careers, and I have much more to look forward to. 

You recently went on an overseas trip with Zumtobel Group Lighting (one of the prizes from the Award). What was that like?

The trip with Zumtobel Group to Dornbirn, Austria was incredible. My hosts were absolutely lovely and so knowledgeable. I got to see all Thorn/Zumtobel’s latest and greatest innovations, and it made me feel excited for the future of the electrical industry. I found it so interesting to hear just how powerful the impact of lighting can have not only on a building but people and their wellbeing too! 

I got to see the huge factories creating the lights with a mixture of people and robots which wasn’t like anything I’d seen before but look forward to hopefully seeing again one day. It will be an experience I will always remember. 

As a young woman in the electrical industry, what barriers have you faced and how have you overcome them?

Unfortunately, there are still those that believe construction is no place for a woman. On the other end of the scale are those who over-compensate by trying to help as much as possible, offer to carry anything they deem as too heavy “for a girl”! 

I can’t tell you which end of that spectrum I find worse! But then I think it’s easy to focus on the negatives and there were certainly times that were hard during my apprenticeship, from fitting in to dealing with the shortcomings of others’ views, but I can honestly say that the good far outweighs the bad and the rewards are well worth it.

I think with being the only girl on most sites, with no other females to look up to or to guide me a big personal barrier was imposter syndrome. Having spoken to many tradeswomen, I think this is a very common feeling. Whether it’s because of the times we’ve been told we don’t belong, or the lack of representation on site, it has made the feeling of accomplishment that bit sweeter, proving the doubters (and sometimes myself) wrong!

What do you think can be done to better promote trade apprenticeships to school leavers and encourage more young people to consider a career in the electrical industry?

I think, in schools, apprenticeships are still often seen as a route for those who aren’t quite as book smart as others, but I think the idea of going to university is not the best option for everyone.

I think it’s more important than ever to have the right role models from our industry making an effort to connect and speak with those who aren’t sure what they want to do after school. 

I remember going to fairs with hundreds of universities being advertised, and I remember sitting with a career counselor to discuss my future. At no point did I see apprenticeships being put forward as an option. 

University is often seen as the “career” route, which I disagree with, considering that an apprenticeship not only gives you the knowledge but also the hands-on experience for a rewarding and lucrative career.

What advice would you give to other young women who are interested in pursuing a career in the electrical industry?

Just try! It does take a bit of confidence to make the leap into the construction field and I know it can be incredibly difficult to then get an apprenticeship. But if you stick it out and find your place, you’ll not regret it. It’s an amazing, often fun career that allows you to earn as you train. It was a no-brainer for me!