Business Central September 2021

| 57 Kawerau: Jones and Cole Electrical Training young people a win-win Jones & Cole Electrical has gone from strength to strength and grown rapidly in its 11 years of operation. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT T T Sue Russell G arry Cole and Dave Jones struck up a friendship working at the Kawerau Mill before Dave left to take up working for an electrical wholesaler and grow asparagus. Garry eventually left when they shut the No 1 paper machine down. Twelve years ago, they were working as sole contractors, eventually forming Jones & Cole Electrical about 11 years ago. Today, the busy electrical company handles all work from industrial, commercial and domestic. “I suppose we are the biggest domestic con- tractor in town and we currently have three tradesmen and three apprentices. “We’ve always had a good sense of the type of person who will do well in this industry, and have all ways had apprentices.” says Garry. Training young people has always been a focus of the company. He recalls last year’s Covid lockdown as a good break, where the main activity initially was attending to domestic hot water supply is- sues. A strong core of loyal customers, includ- ing the District Council, New World, Mountain View Rest Home and Tuwharetoa ensure that there’s always sufficient work. “This aligns with our ‘local first’ policy,” Garry says. Taking on and training up apprentices was very important to Garry and Dave, who see it as a responsibility to bring on new electricians, equipping them through training with a wide range of experiences. “Our guys always seem to find a job at the end of their training and for me, there is pleasure in seeing them succeed. “ There is no substitute for wide ranging experiences and time served.” He has strong opinion regarding the cur- rent quality of training offered, commenting that when it was the responsibility of each employer, in tandem with the Dept of Labour, the training used to take approximately 8000 hours. As part of an initiative to encourage new people into the sector a group of electrical businesses in the area have bandied together along with ISK to take on apprentices from the mill and other large companies, to provide them with a wider set of learning experiences. When it comes to sourcing their own suppliers Garry says it’s been key that Jones & Cole Electrical have been ‘fussy’ about what products they will use, particularly with light- ing technologies. “There are cheaper options. We won’t use anything bought over the internet and stick to trustworthy, well-established brands. “Our customers know this and it keeps our integrity and professional standards high.” Garry is quick to point out that qualified and licensed electricians are individually responsi- ble for the work they sign off, so this attention to detail in terms of the equipment they use is critical. Asked where he is in his own career Garry says he’s at the beginning of starting to step back. He’s confident that, with the reputation the company has achieved, there will be an appro- priate succession in time. “Kawerau is a small town. People pretty much know everyone. That is how we get most of our work. “The Council is also very forward thinking and encouraging of new enterprise and sup- porting existing ones.” Even the building inspector is very pro-ac- tive and helpful, an experience not always enjoyed by builders in other regions. As a long-standing solid business in the town Jones & Cole Electrical also outreach back into the community with sponsorship and support of the fire-brigade by employing a volunteer, the local fishing comp and the golf club. There’s a comfortable amount of work on as well. “We’re pretty much booked up a week in advance, which means we can plan our jobs and ensure the staff are always engaged in a range of electrical work. But we can also respond to “emergencies”. Garry says Kawerau is a great town to oper- ate in, with a look-ahead vibe, supported by a wide range of businesses and local council. “Kawerau is a small town. People pretty much know everyone. That is how we get most of our work. The Council is also very forward thinking and encouraging of new enterprise and supporting existing ones.” TELEPHONE: 07 323 3821 MOBILE: 027 203 2410 Bay of Plenty Doing it the riteway