COMPANY PROFILE
MCGUINNESS HAS BEEN RECENTLY REBRANDED, AND THE COMPANY KEEPS GROWING ORGANICALLY WITH THE TALENT FROM ITS
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM… A new chapter
I n 2022, McGuinness Plumbing Ltd was rebranded as McGuinness Mechanical Engineering Ltd. The change was made to coincide with the 10th-anniversary celebrations but, according to MD Thomas McGuinness, the transition to becoming a mechanical installation contractor happened naturally and gradually. “The builders we were working for were getting bigger and trusting us with these larger projects,” Thomas commented. “If we had done a good job on a 10-unit scheme, they were quite confident to hire us for a 50-unit scheme, so it seemed natural just to keep going.” According to Thomas, attracting staff with different abilities and qualities also allowed them to take on work they were not specialised in before. “We grew with our clients and with our staff, who were bringing in more experience. Then we felt we would accommodate full mechanical installation projects.” The rebranding also included a
new logo and website, as well as a new look for the van fleet.
days, as well as to a designated Apprenticeship Mentor, who will monitor site and class-based progression. As part of the Apprenticeship scheme, McGuinness offers the “Apprentice of the month” contest. The winner is chosen by the mentor based on attitude, progress, SRC progression and timekeeping. The winners receive a £100 voucher. Thomas commented the company has reaped massive benefits from the program. “Ronnie was able to identify apprentices who were struggling and previously would have just left the company. He also started liaising with the South Regional College (SRC) about their progress. The increased number of newly-qualified plumbers are gaining broad experience in all aspects of the mechanical package and company values. They have helped McGuinness grow organically.” Ronnie also supports the apprentices in the next step of their careers, with office-based and site progression routes.
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM McGuinness Mechanical Engineering is renowned for its Apprentice Program, which won them the 2022 Northern Ireland SME Apprentice Employer of the Year Awarded by the Department for the Economy. “It all started when the company was getting bigger, and we noticed we weren’t retaining the apprentices as much as before,” MD Thomas McGuinness explained. “We were suffering as a company because of that.” The company brought in Ronnie Ferris, who has over 30 years’ experience dealing with apprentices. The Higher-Level Apprentices are assigned to various departments and work closely with senior members. McGuinness also facilitates further studying or specialised courses that benefit both the apprentice and the business. The Plumbing Apprentices are assigned to a mentor for their site
McGuinness Mechanical Engineering , Unit 7, Loughway Business Park, Warrenpoint Road, Newry, BT34 2TH T: +44 (0)28 3083 9111 - E: info@mcguinnessmechanical.ie www.mcguinnessmechanical.ie
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PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE | 15
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