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Emergency Services Times, May, 2005
What happened to all the auto electricians?
Everybody had one. They were part of the team, loads of mechanics and at least one auto electrician! But in those days we could fix anything on a car; we used traditional skills to diagnose the fault and then…we fixed it!
When AES was established in 1983 training was an important part of this culture. Each new intake of apprentices was introduced to their craft. They had to understand the world of vehicles from first principles, and the training generic rather than product–specific. Today, the analysis of engine management data and the diagnostic equipment that translates it is state-of-the-art. It has to be to stand a chance of supporting the incredibly complex system of area networks and processes that push the car along the road. Nor can it be denied that we now have vehicles that deliver greater efficiency, are environmentally friendly and safer than ever before. Great strides have been made in these key areas
But are the technicians of today as skilled and knowledgeable as the mechanics of yesterday? Yes, technicians are skilled in their own right, but they are for the most part specialists. The traditional skills acquired by auto electricians is hardly recognised as a craft at all in 2005!
So why is it that a company built by auto electricians is thriving in this world of ‘second principle diagnostics’? How have they managed to retain the traditional skills associated with their trade?
Insisting on the traditional apprenticeship has been difficult for AES because local colleges no longer offer the Foundation City and Guilds Courses. Fortunately, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce still takes craft training seriously and through its Business Link scheme has created a course for AES by bolting together modules offered by more than one college. The entry requirement for the AES apprenticeship scheme is 4 GCSEs (Math’s and English are compulsory). Even so, applications for the three annual awards still run into hundreds.
‘AES provide integration services to major vehicle builders and direct to fleet managers where specialist vehicles are required’.
AES derives major benefits from the training scheme. As the business expands, we are not forced to look outside the company for new recruits to fill any vacancies.
The ‘time served’ electrician completes not only a 3 year apprenticeship but specialises in at least two of the six skill groups recognised by the company during the last two years of the scheme.
‘The benefits of continuous staff training was realised during a very busy 2004 for the engineers at AES’.
Delivering the integrated communication and electrical systems for the ODPM’s New Dimensions project to Marshall SV (the prime contractor) required an array of skills, including design, prototype electrical and communications), installation project management, pre-production assembly and field support. During 2004, over 1000 complex electrical systems where delivered to specialist body builders from their custom-built facility in Manchester. Central to this achievement was a committed, loyal and well-trained team.
So what of the future…?
‘AES established Hold-most™ Fleet Management Solutions in 2002’
Many current and future projects such as the installation of inter-operable radio systems throughout the Fire and Ambulance markets and the increasing integration of mobile data systems with regional command and control centres will require Engineers and Technicians capable of working on existing vehicles from first principles. Their skills will always be needed for the commissioning and testing of systems to ensure full client and legislative compliance. The AES team leaders have to understand good project management and quality system practice to meet clients ever more demanding attention to detail.
Staff retention is never easy. Employees constantly seek new roles and aspire to better jobs.
This is what prompted AES to establish Hold-most™ Ltd in order to satisfy this need and provide clients with vehicle electrical and communication system integration consultancy services.
For Hold-most™ the primary markets are the Blue-light services together with the Armed Forces and Government Agencies. These projects inevitably involve specialist fleet services.
Today’s specialist vehicles require significant IT, communication and electrical infrastructure.
Communication system integration is the most recent of the skill areas to have emerged from the AES organisation and is the fastest growing.
Hold-most™ can call on 23 years of integration experience to test the users’ solutions and so de-risk the integration before the client publishes their specification.
To achieve this, the company relies on its excellent project management and consultancy services. It can call upon its own directors who were recruited because they boast an excellent track record in delivering high profile military and civilian authority contracts.
Hold-most™ is due to move into new offices, which from part of a 7000 sq ft workshop extension located at its purpose-built site in Manchester.
Summing up, AES has registered growth by responding to its customer’s needs and supporting its products in the field. The key to its success is the importance placed on staff expertise delivered through a structured and transparent training scheme.
Steve Reeves
Managing Director AES, Irlam, Manchester.
What happened to all the auto electricians?
Everybody had one. They were part of the team, loads of mechanics and at least one auto electrician! But in those days we could fix anything on a car; we used traditional skills to diagnose the fault and then…we fixed it!
When AES was established in 1983 training was an important part of this culture. Each new intake of apprentices was introduced to their craft. They had to understand the world of vehicles from first principles, and the training generic rather than product–specific. Today, the analysis of engine management data and the diagnostic equipment that translates it is state-of-the-art. It has to be to stand a chance of supporting the incredibly complex system of area networks and processes that push the car along the road. Nor can it be denied that we now have vehicles that deliver greater efficiency, are environmentally friendly and safer than ever before. Great strides have been made in these key areas
But are the technicians of today as skilled and knowledgeable as the mechanics of yesterday? Yes, technicians are skilled in their own right, but they are for the most part specialists. The traditional skills acquired by auto electricians is hardly recognised as a craft at all in 2005!
So why is it that a company built by auto electricians is thriving in this world of ‘second principle diagnostics’? How have they managed to retain the traditional skills associated with their trade?
Insisting on the traditional apprenticeship has been difficult for AES because local colleges no longer offer the Foundation City and Guilds Courses. Fortunately, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce still takes craft training seriously and through its Business Link scheme has created a course for AES by bolting together modules offered by more than one college. The entry requirement for the AES apprenticeship scheme is 4 GCSEs (Math’s and English are compulsory). Even so, applications for the three annual awards still run into hundreds.
‘AES provide integration services to major vehicle builders and direct to fleet managers where specialist vehicles are required’.
AES derives major benefits from the training scheme. As the business expands, we are not forced to look outside the company for new recruits to fill any vacancies.
The ‘time served’ electrician completes not only a 3 year apprenticeship but specialises in at least two of the six skill groups recognised by the company during the last two years of the scheme.
‘The benefits of continuous staff training was realised during a very busy 2004 for the engineers at AES’.
Delivering the integrated communication and electrical systems for the ODPM’s New Dimensions project to Marshall SV (the prime contractor) required an array of skills, including design, prototype electrical and communications), installation project management, pre-production assembly and field support. During 2004, over 1000 complex electrical systems where delivered to specialist body builders from their custom-built facility in Manchester. Central to this achievement was a committed, loyal and well-trained team.
So what of the future…?
‘AES established Hold-most™ Fleet Management Solutions in 2002’
Many current and future projects such as the installation of inter-operable radio systems throughout the Fire and Ambulance markets and the increasing integration of mobile data systems with regional command and control centres will require Engineers and Technicians capable of working on existing vehicles from first principles. Their skills will always be needed for the commissioning and testing of systems to ensure full client and legislative compliance. The AES team leaders have to understand good project management and quality system practice to meet clients ever more demanding attention to detail.
Staff retention is never easy. Employees constantly seek new roles and aspire to better jobs.
This is what prompted AES to establish Hold-most™ Ltd in order to satisfy this need and provide clients with vehicle electrical and communication system integration consultancy services.
For Hold-most™ the primary markets are the Blue-light services together with the Armed Forces and Government Agencies. These projects inevitably involve specialist fleet services.
Today’s specialist vehicles require significant IT, communication and electrical infrastructure.
Communication system integration is the most recent of the skill areas to have emerged from the AES organisation and is the fastest growing.
Hold-most™ can call on 23 years of integration experience to test the users’ solutions and so de-risk the integration before the client publishes their specification.
To achieve this, the company relies on its excellent project management and consultancy services. It can call upon its own directors who were recruited because they boast an excellent track record in delivering high profile military and civilian authority contracts.
Hold-most™ is due to move into new offices, which from part of a 7000 sq ft workshop extension located at its purpose-built site in Manchester.
Summing up, AES has registered growth by responding to its customer’s needs and supporting its products in the field. The key to its success is the importance placed on staff expertise delivered through a structured and transparent training scheme.
Steve Reeves
Managing Director AES, Irlam, Manchester.