THE BENEFITS OF WORK PLACEMENT WITHIN THE ENGINEERING INDUSTRY: OUR EXPERIENCE

The Benefits Of Work Placement Within The Engineering Industry: Our Experience

We’re very happy to announce that we have recently partnered with the University Of Salford, to explore the benefits of work placement students. By integrating students into our business we’ve realised benefits in our FM Projects team specifically by onboarding Justice Akogo, Assistant Project Manager.

How and why did we decide to utilise this route of staffing the business? FM Projects Director, Lee Hudson to explain:

“Identifying the job pipeline was growing extensively, I asked our team for suggestions to help them resource the management of it. Former university student and now 24-7 FM Project Engineer, Scott Thompson, suggested utilising our local university who specialises in construction, to bring in a student on placement to assist our project managers. I was impressed with Scott’s suggestion, as he also highlighted that a student would be a great innovativing addition to our team. So as well as us teaching the student an abundance of industry knowledge, we could also learn new skills from them too, to enhance our processes and overall teams’ performance.

Approaching University Of Salford with our initial interest, kick-started a conversation to discuss options of employing work placement students full time upon completing their placement with us. The benefits this supports brings are simple as it builds on our existing teams management skills and allows student to get that first step into Full Time employment.”

We then reviewed a number of applications from University Of Salford eventually finding Justice’s CV, who’s passion for building and design stood out which led him pursuing a degree in Construction Project Management.

Why did Justice decide to apply for a work placement with 24-7 FM?

“I decided to apply for the advertised role, as it aligns with my career goals, offering valuable experience in managing complex M&E projects and the ability to contribute positively to a project management team. 

Over my placement I want to gain practical experience and apply my theoretical knowledge to real world projects. This not only deepens my understanding of construction project management, but also contributes to my further understanding of the M&E sector. I intend to connect with industry professionals, and colleagues to build a network which can support my career growth and can provide various opportunities. I aim to understand and adapt to industry best practices & standards ensuring I am well-prepared for the future challenges I am bound to face. I will integrate practical experiences and case studies from my work placement into my academic work, enlightening my assignments with real world insights. To enhance my performance and match my learning with industry standards, I plan to regularly seek input from mentors and supervisors at 24-7 Group, making my final year studies more relevant and impactful.”

How’s Justice found his work placement so far?

“I have learnt many valuable things during my first month at 24-7 Group. I have learned a lot about project planning, coordination and how crucial they are in the successful completion of projects. I have also developed my knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, strengthened my teamwork and communication abilities, as well as becoming more familiar with industry standards and practices.”

Left to right: Scott Thompson, Justice Akogo and Lee Hudson.

FM Projects Director, Lee Hudson, is very impressed with how Justice has adapted to the role, adding: “In such a small amount of time, we have already recognised the benefits of onboarding Justice into our FM team. By Justice joining our FM team over the past month and successfully completing out vital workflow tasks, we have already started to notice the benefit of enhanced productivity from our Project Managers, as it has allowed them to focus on more time-sensitive tasks within their roles.”

We are very pleased to have partnered with the University Of Salford to deliver an opportunity to provide industry experience, alongside education, resulting in a beneficial outcome for all parties.

Over the next few months we’ll post future updates on the progress of Justice and our relationship with the University Of Salford.

Leading multi-disciplinary engineering company, 24-7 Group have successfully acquired a new business – JW Jones and Son Ltd

This strategic acquisition aligns with their long-term growth strategy and will play a pivotal role in expanding their market presence, diversifying their product and services offerings, and enhancing their overall value proposition to their customers.

Key highlights of the acquisition:

Services: Since the 1950’s, JW Jones and Son has steadily grown, delivering fully serviced heating packages to both the domestic and commercial markets. More recently they have moved their service offering towards renewable energy sources including solar and air source heat pump packages. This “evolutionary” story is something that 24-7 Group value and plan to continue to nurture under their stewardship. The history of delivering high quality solutions for ¾ of a century, and the reputation this has built for JW Jones and Son, will continue to be, second to none whilst working with their new colleagues at 24-7 Group will bring added skills to their services.

Market Expansion: By acquiring JW Jones and Son, 24-7 Group are gaining access to new markets where relationships have been established over the past 75 years.

Talented Team: They are welcoming a group of highly skilled professionals from JW Jones and Son into their team at 24-7 Group. Their expertise, hard work and experience will be invaluable as the organizations work together to achieve their shared goals.

Richard Jones, Partner at JW Jones and Son, commented:

“I’m really pleased for the business to be joining the 24-7 Group. We know in their hands, the history and reputation that the Jones family has built up over 3 generations will continue, whilst the business will benefit from being part of a far bigger entity”.

Andy Hawes, CEO of 24-7 Group added:

“The acquisition of JW Jones and Son means which we have now incorporated, helps form part of our strategic growth plan. We are now capable of self-delivering “renewable” energy solutions including EV charging throughout the entire Northwest region and beyond”.

Left to right: Richard Jones – J W Jones & Son, Damon Clarke – J W Jones & Son Commercial Director, Andy Hawes – 24-7 Group CEO

Continuing their ongoing expansion 24-7 Group acquire Haywood & Jackson Fabrications Ltd

24-7 Group, a growing Manchester based company have successfully acquired a new business, Haywood & Jackson Fabrications Ltd.

The independent electrical, mechanical and facilities management group work across the UK and this strategic acquisition aligns with their long-term growth strategy in expanding their market presence, diversifying the Group’s product and service offerings, and enhancing their overall value proposition to customers.

Key highlights of the acquisition:

Services: Since 1972, Haywood & Jackson Ltd have steadily grown into a multidisciplinary engineering company, offering a full-service package of design, fabrication and installation for bespoke components, structures and assemblies of structural steel and GRP materials. This “heritage” is something 24-7 Group highly value and will continue to nurture under their stewardship.

Market Expansion: By acquiring Haywood & Jackson Ltd, 24-7 Group are gaining access to new markets where relationships have been established over the past 50 years within the rail, utilities and construction sectors.

Talented Team: 24-7 Group welcome a group of highly skilled professionals from Haywood & Jackson Ltd, into their team whose expertise and experience will be invaluable in ensuring the achievement of their shared goals.

Angie Kenny – Managing Director at Haywood & Jackson Ltd commented:

“Haywood & Jackson Ltd are very excited to be joining the 24-7 Group and relishing the opportunities that being part of a larger organisation brings. It was a difficult decision for Haywood & Jackson Ltd to sell, having been a family concern for over 50 years, but in the ownership of 24-7 Group, I firmly believe the heritage will be maintained whilst the company will grow stronger.”

Andy Hawes – Managing Director at 24-7 Group said:

“I’ve known Angie and Haywood & Jackson Ltd for many years. I see the acquisition as an exciting opportunity for both parties to grow and move into markets that previously had been difficult to enter for both companies.”

“Over the coming weeks and months, we will be working closely with the team at Haywood & Jackson Ltd to ensure a smooth transition and integration of process and people. We want customers to rest assured that we are committed to maintaining the high level of service & quality they have come to expect from both 24-7 Group and Haywood & Jackson Ltd.

“We are confident that this acquisition will result in numerous benefits to our customers, employees, and stakeholders, and are looking forward to sharing more information about the exciting projects and opportunities that lie ahead as a result of this acquisition.

Thank you to all our customers, employees and stakeholders, who have ultimately brought us to this exciting juncture in our company’s journey.”

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