At James Ramsay, we believe apprenticeships are about more than learning a trade – they’re about creating real opportunities, building confidence, and supporting long-term careers in engineering.
Paul Clancy’s journey with us is a great example of how early engagement and the right support can make a lasting difference.
Starting out: work experience placement
Paul first joined James Ramsay through the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce – Glasgow Guarantee programme, attending the business two days per week during a six-month work experience placement.
From the outset, Paul impressed the team with his reliability, willingness to learn and positive attitude. He quickly adapted to the demands of a busy engineering environment, integrated well with colleagues and showed clear potential for development.
By the end of the placement, it was evident that Paul was not only a good fit for the team, but someone with the drive and commitment needed for a long-term career in the industry.
Taking the next step: direct employment
Following the successful completion of his work experience, Paul was offered direct employment as a labourer. This step allowed him to build practical, hands-on experience on site, develop confidence in the workplace and strengthen his understanding of health and safety, teamwork and site operations.
His strong work ethic and professional approach continued to stand out, reinforcing our belief that he had the capability to progress further within the business.
Progression into an apprenticeship
Around a year after joining the company full-time, we were delighted to support Paul’s next stage of development by securing him a place on a four-year Heating & Ventilating Apprenticeship with Glasgow Kelvin College.
Throughout his apprenticeship, Paul has worked across a wide range of sites, gaining experience in:
- Commercial heating systems
- Pipefitting
- Ventilation systems
- Planned and reactive maintenance
- Health and safety best practice
- Customer service and teamwork
He is now entering the final year of his apprenticeship, on track to complete his NVQ and qualify as a fully certified heating engineer.
Looking ahead
Paul’s journey demonstrates the real value of structured work experience and apprenticeships in our industry. They provide a meaningful pathway into employment, support vital skills development and help young people build long-term, sustainable careers.
From our perspective, it has been hugely rewarding to watch Paul grow in confidence, ability and professionalism. His progress is a credit to his own commitment and to the power of early engagement and structured support.
We’re proud to have played a part in his development and look forward to welcoming Paul into the industry as a fully qualified Heating Engineer.
