News

OUR PEOPLE - DAFYDD JOHNSTON

16 MARCH 2020 11:50

Last week, E.G. Lewis Group, showcased its commitment to developing its people by joining The 5% Club, an industry led initiative focussed on driving momentum into the recruitment of apprentices, graduates and sponsored students. The #OurPeople campaign is centred around sharing the experiences of employees who are developing their skills and talents within their role.

The 5% Club, initiated by Leo Quinn Group Group CEO of Balfour Beatty in 2013, is a movement of more than 300 employers providing ‘earn and learn’ opportunities to develop the skills and talents people need to become more employable and create meaningful careers. Companies joining The 5% Club commit to raising the number of apprentices, sponsored students and graduates on formal programmes to 5% of their total workforce within five years.

29-year old Dafydd Johnston, project engineer of Skelton Thomas Engineering’s Pipework division has been quite the advocate for driving momentum in relation to enhancing not only members of the division but his own future career development. The company re-launched its apprenticeship offering in 2018 in collaboration with NPTC Group of Colleges, with Dafydd being one of two individuals enrolled on BEng (Hons) Industrial Engineering Design (Mechanical) course. Dafydd, completed an NVQ Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering by the time he was twenty-two years of age whilst within an apprenticeship scheme at a Swansea-based engineering contractor prior to joining Skelton Thomas Engineering in 2015. Our Pipework division has seen a further two individuals commence on their level 3 NVQ Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering at the School of Engineering in this academic year; The engineering department offers disciplines in Mechanical, Maintenance, Fabrication and Welding, Hydraulics and Pneumatics, Electronics, Automotive, Vehicle body, and Repair and Refinishing. Even more, all qualifications offered are nationally recognised which will enhance students’ employment opportunities within their chosen discipline.

It is important to recognise Dafydd as a community man at heart, he is head coach of Port Talbot-based Taibach RFC, a grassroots rugby and football club at age grade level. Taibach Rugby Football Club is a community club with two senior, one youth and ten mini and junior teams whilst being a feeder club to the Ospreys. Dafydd was one of eight of our people to participate in the The Wave’s ‘Cold Truth’ sleep out on Thursday 20th February, in support of five of the city’s homeless charities. While the event was not a true comparison to the life of a homeless person, we at E.G. Lewis Group hope that by raising awareness of the issue it will help raise funds for the projects that tackle homelessness.

https://www.5percentclub.org.uk/