To mark National Apprenticeship Week we thought it was the perfect time to shine a spotlight on some of our fantastic trainees.

Here at Alpine we run our very own trainee scheme, which was launched to discover and cultivate talent within the engineering sector and set them up for a successful career.

We’ve seen first hand how people who want to work in our sector struggle to find the right opportunities, however our trainee scheme enables individuals to work across multiple departments, helping them discover the discipline that suits them best.

Alongside their extensive training, they are welcomed into Alpine and guided by our experienced team leaders. We pride ourselves on a great company culture, and being awarded The Sunday Times Best Places to Work in 2024 demonstrates our commitment to nurturing employee wellbeing.

Our core values are fundamental to our work ethos: People-focused, Integrity, Teamwork, Customer service, Humility, Expertise, and Dedication. Each is practised by every team member, contributing to a progressive company culture. This strong culture makes us a desirable workplace, particularly for our trainees.

In recent years, the trainees who have joined Alpine have gained confidence and professionalism, integrated well into our culture and shown a positive, can-do attitude. This is why we are celebrating some of our outstanding trainees and exploring their journeys as they advance in their careers at Alpine.

The first spotlight is on Service Engineer, Derek Lowndes, who joined Alpine Fire with no experience in the fire suppression industry. His previous job involved long hours and was incredibly demanding, but when he discovered that Alpine values work-life balance, he became intrigued and quickly recognised the benefits of working here.

“Every day is different at Alpine. I was welcomed with open arms into what feels like a family run business.

“The trainee program is ideal for anyone entering the sprinkler industry because it provides unlimited training with experienced service engineers. There is no time limit on the learning process in this trade; I have spent weeks and months with various engineers, each one just as eager to help me understand all aspects of the job.

“My only regret is that I didn’t join Alpine sooner.”

Another of our trainees is Liam Ashton, who trained as a Pre-Construction Engineer. Before joining Alpine, Liam earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering but found himself working in hospitality. One day, he decided he wanted more out of his career and was determined to better himself.

The trainee program provides a pathway into engineering without requiring all the traditional qualifications, as it includes comprehensive training with the guidance of Alpine’s experienced experts.

“From the get-go, the training programme has not only progressed my understanding of supply chains and operations, but it has also improved my professionalism, communication, and organisation skills. These are characteristics needed to handle busy workloads in a fast-paced environment.

“My career has evolved massively since the traineeship, and the foundations I’ve built have created a lasting impact on my work.

“Anyone considering working at Alpine should jump at the chance. While the sprinkler industry might not be on most people’s radar, I believe Alpine is the best company I’ve ever worked for. I can’t thank them enough for the time they’ve devoted to building my career.”

Service Engineer Callum Lawson was initially drawn to Alpine Fire’s trainee program because of the progression opportunities.

“Alpine has helped me better myself with the guidance of other engineers, senior team members and managers, who are always willing to help. Each person provides you with the confidence to carry on.”

The constant support provided to Callum has motivated him to work hard and has strengthened his commitment to our core values, helping him achieve his goals.

Sam Cheadle is now a Junior Estimator, taking the role head-on after hearing about Alpine’s recent growth and further secured investment.

“It was clear that Alpine was set on expanding and developing its workforce – I wanted to be part of its exciting future.

“I realised I was going to be mentored by some of the most experienced people in the industry after discovering that we hold an LPCB level 4 accreditation, which enables us to provide assured quality from design, installation, and maintenance,

“Since joining the trainee programme I have spent time with all departments across the company, providing me with valuable insight into the wider operations of the business and how we all work collaboratively to provide the best service possible for our customers.

“The program accelerated my professional development and provided me with the essential tools to excel in my current role as a Junior Estimator. At Alpine, there are various career paths available through the program, encompassing both technical and non-technical options. With on-going training and qualifications offered regularly, it’s a workplace that actively promotes personal growth and believes in investing in its employees’ futures.”

At Alpine we’re always here to support the progression of our employees. Whatever the goal, we’ll help you get there.

If you’re looking to jump-start your career, get in touch with us today.