By Emma Dodd
A campervan conversion company has provided a local school with an innovative take on work experience during lockdown.
Jerba Campervans showed pupils at North Berwick High School the inner workings of the business during a video tour.
It showcased the skills and knowledge required to make bespoke campervans and the type of environment found in the workshop.
The firm’s current apprentices also created a video to demonstrate the paths they took to get into the industry and what their career outlooks are for the future.
This real-world experience is vital for youngsters who may not know where they’re heading and don’t necessarily want to go down the university route.
Gareth Jones, an apprentice at Jerba Campervans, said: “My friend worked here for a while and told me there was a position going, and so I applied and got the apprenticeship. I had no experience in this field beforehand. I just wanted to be in a job which enabled me to get hands-on.
“Everyone here is invested in the business, and this is partially down to the company being employee-owned, meaning there is a collective motivation to do the best we can each day.”
Setting up the digital work placement programme has been achieved by Gateway Shared Services to ensure pupils don’t miss out on valuable insight during lockdown.
Getting involved in the virtual work experience project is a continuation of Jerba Campervans’ commitment to offering placements to local school children.
It has been welcoming pupils with an interest in carpentry and vehicle conversions into its workshop since 2011 and will hopefully be able to do so again once coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
Jerba Campervans specialises in converting VW vans with a choice of five main types of transformations, which can then be customised by the mechanics and cabinet makers to fully suit the needs of the customer.
