Former Derry Building Services director Mr Steve Burley retires after 28 years of helping apprentices

A director of a Newark company has retired after 28 years’ service ­— and helping more than 100 apprentices start their careers.

Mr Steve Burley, 63, has left mechanical and electrical engineering firm Derry Building Services.

Mr Burley started his own career as an apprentice, and so was a great believer of the apprenticeship scheme at DBS.

“Somebody gave me an opportunity as an electrician and I have kept that theme rolling through the business,” he said.

“I have been here 28 years, and the job before this 18 years, and apprentices have always been part of the company structure.”

More than 100 apprentices have passed through the company and advanced into higher roles during Mr Burley’s tenure at DBS, and he said it was all down to giving people a chance to prove themselves.

“You have to give somebody an opportunity and it’s then up to them to make the most of that opportunity,” he said.

“It’s a rocky road with some apprentices and they will always have their moments, but as long as it is just the odd moment it’s fine.

“It’s rewarding to see them develop and 50% of the staff we have now started with us as apprentices. We couldn’t function as a business without these people.

“We have delivered the Warner Brothers Studios’ Harry Potter Experience, St George’s Park (where the England football team train) and Center Parcs, and these people (the apprentices) have designed and installed it, but we have given them the skills and trained them.”

In recent years, Mr Burley worked closely with the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) skills council, which represents more than 3,300 companies on a national scale.

“The last four years I have been chair for that organisation, promoting training in the electrical industry and representing the ECA in Westminster and several other locations,” he said.

“Its something that has been rewarding and enjoyable.”

Mr Mark Townsend, managing director, who joined the industry as an apprentice, said: “I started within a month of him and he will be sadly missed by the business. He’s a true friend.

“He will be missed by the whole industry as well, the suppliers, and subcontractors ­— everybody.

“He took me on as an apprentice myself and it just goes to show how far you can go.”