25 Years on and still going strong at James Frew for Stephen Wright

Aug 25, 2023

Stephen Wright started his apprenticeship with James Frew at the young age of 16 back in 1998. Stephen was started by Davie Gaw and Dickson Leishman, and he recalls his first job was working alongside Billy Thomson and Alex Waldron in East Kilbride. Throughout his apprenticeship Stephen attended the Ayr College working under the guidance and tutelage of college lecturer Alan White.

Managing Director Roddy Frew said, “25 years with James Frew is a fantastic achievement, Stephen has witnessed so many changes and is a great story of the success of our training programmes.”

Stephen commented: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at James Frew. I love working with a local firm and have worked on countless sites and jobs over the years. It has been a pleasure to be with James Frew since leaving school and serving my apprenticeship.”

More recently, Stephen has been working with Installation Manager Jim McKay and has progressed his development by adding air source heat pump installations to his long list of skills.

Operations Director Andrew Fogarty said: “Stephen has played a key role in our reactive maintenance contract with Dundonald Links, particularly during their preparations for opening their new accommodation lodges, and also providing an on-call service throughout the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). Since then, Stephen has been working on several high-profile renewable projects and consistently produces work of a very high standard.”

25 years and counting! A great testament to Stephen.

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Paul Takes Centre Stage at WorldSkills UK

By James Frew Ltd • 13 Nov, 2023

Plumbing apprentice Paul Marshall is set to test his skills against some of the United Kingdom's most accomplished students and apprentices during the WorldSkills UK National Finals in Greater Manchester on 15th-16th November. In his quest to be named SkillPLUMB champion, Paul will have to tackle a complex task that involves the installation of a central heating system and hot/cold water system, incorporating a boiler, unvented hot water cylinder and associated pipework and bespoke designed copper radiators. James Frew Managing Director Roddy Frew said: "I was delighted to learn that Paul has been selected to represent James Frew and West College Scotland at UK World Skills. He is an ambassador for James Frew and has consistently produced work of a very high standard. These types of experiences are essential for apprentices to test their practical skills and meta-skills and benchmark themselves against the best in the UK." We wish Paul all the very best in the final – good luck!

James Frew MD Roddy Frew and Peter Logue from TACT

James Frew Donate to Challenge Poverty Week with TACT

By James Frew Ltd • 27 Sep, 2023

James Frew Managing Director Roddy Frew popped down to The Ayrshire Community Trust (TACT) today to present a cheque as part of Challenge Poverty Week. The Ayrshire Community Trust are a small charity based in Saltcoats and forms part of the North Ayrshire TSI (Third Sector Interface) along with Arran Community and Voluntary Service. Their mission is to deliver programmes and projects which make a difference to people’s lives by encouraging, supporting, and promoting community action. Roddy said: “We are thrilled to support such a worthwhile initiative and I have been really impressed by the fantastic work TACT do within the local community. Our James Frew donation will help create helpful food hampers and also support North Ayrshire Food Bank.” Roddy added: “TACT has evolved over the years and carries out a range of additional functions which we believe work towards making North Ayrshire a great place to stay. The functions include employability services, training, youth development and social enterprise development.” Challenge Poverty Week 2023 runs from the 2nd to 9th of October. https://www.tact.scot/

New Beginnings for Assistant Site Manager Kyle Rafferty

By James Frew Ltd • 25 Sep, 2023

This week marks a new beginning for Kyle Rafferty as he starts a new career journey as an Assistant Site Manager with our Modernisations business unit (Mods). One of the very first James Frew Academy graduates who started his apprenticeship in 2017, Kyle has been honing his plumbing and heating skills, gaining experience working on MPS sites, and mentoring other apprentices and young tradespersons. Head of Operations Paul Lynn said: “Kyle is a great example of possibility and opportunity that are available to our Modern Apprentices who come through our James Frew Academy programme. Kyle will start his new managerial career under the expert guidance of Site Managers Steven McInnes and John Dougall.” Kyle said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to progress to a management role within James Frew. I am keen to learn and develop and contribute to the operational success of the Mods. The Mods teams are Principal Contractor on site which is new to me but I am keen to learn how to coordinate other trades, manage resources effectively and help others to maximise their potential.” Kyle will assist in the completion of our refurbishment works to North Ayrshire Council’s sheltered housing located at Barnett Court in Saltcoats and assist in other majors projects within the Commercial Mods as he progresses his management career.