TRAINING
MECHANICAL CONTRACTS MANAGER MATTHEW BOWDEN HAS RETURNED TO SERC TO TURN HIS WORK KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE INTO A LEVEL 6 QUALIFICATION… Building on a career with Professional Recognition Award
A South Eastern Regional College (SERC) alumnus has returned to the College – online – to turn his knowledge and experience from multi- million-pound projects in the construction industry into a Level 6 Professional Recognition Award, with the support of the College’s Business Services team. Matthew Bowden, a Mechanical Contracts Manager with Bellaghy-based FG Mechanical Building Services, first came to SERC following his GCSEs at Royal Belfast Academical Institution. “I knew I wanted to do a trade upon leaving school so I enrolled at my local SERC Campus in Newtownards, where I completed an NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 in Plumbing and Heating as part of my Apprenticeship. I was employed by the Harvey Group,” he explained. “I really enjoyed being hands- on, which suited my style of learning.” Matthew added, “On completion of my Apprenticeship, I was keen to gain further qualifications and enrolled on the HNC in Building Services, again at SERC’s Newtownards Campus, whilst working ‘on the tools’ with Harvey Group. The HNC helped me move into the office and to take those first steps into management. I have no doubt my experience as an apprentice working in offices, schools, healthcare and residential settings, backed up with the theory and knowledge gained on the HNC, helped me progress in my career.
“In my current position as Mechanical Contracts Manager with FG Mechanical
Building Services, I manage the installation of plumbing, heating,
ventilation and air conditioning systems both for new builds and refurbishments. Work can take me anywhere in the UK and Ireland, and I have been involved in projects in Belfast, Bristol and Dublin. I am currently working on a project of 193 new high-end apartments in Central London with a job value of £7million. “The most exciting part of working in this field is that every job brings its own unique challenges - you are learning all the time. This is what spurred me to find out about the City & Guilds Level 6 Professional Recognition Award. I am glad I went back to SERC, this time online, to gain the qualification. There was plenty of support and guidance to make you focus on all the knowledge and experience you have picked up over the years.” Matthew concluded, “Right now there is a shortage of young people coming through to work in specialist areas of construction and, with the right skills, experience and qualifications, the world is your oyster. I would certainly recommend the apprenticeship route as having a trade has opened so many doors for me. I have always found there are many opportunities in the industry for those who want them.”
Contracts Manager and SERC student Matthew Bowden.
Visit www.serc.ac.uk to learn more.
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12 | PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE
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