Looking Back at 2023

As we enter another year, it’s a time for us to reflect, looking back at 2023!   

We are always grateful that over 85% of our business are ‘existing, long term’ clients. But we have also had plenty of new enquiries this year too. It’s been exciting to deal with some new companies and we hope to have a long happy future with.  

Work Completed

GF Electrical has been involved in some great contracts over the last 12 months. 

From our ongoing works for clients like Sovereign and Bristol Maid to a design company Quantum doing an office refit. A unique project where lighting played an aesthetic role and not just a practical one. Head to our case studies to see more. 

We have had a large residential project for one of our longstanding clients in Ringwood. This has been a job of great proportions, and we are really looking forward to seeing the finished result!  

Development and Training

We ran another successful recruitment campaign for an apprentice this year. We were astounded by the number of applicants for our 2023 position. With in excess of 40 application forms submitted, they were hard to narrow down for our 6 interview spots, for our one placement. We had some great candidates, that were so impressive, we gave two placements this year to Henry & Lawrence.  

We also welcomed a new electrician, Andrew, who join the team.  

Training and Development is particularly important to us at GF Electrical. Over this year we have continued to develop all employees. The training varied, ranging from Mental Health Awareness Training with the EIC and IPAF & PASMA training. All while continuing to keep current training up to date and refreshes set.  

 

New Benefits for Our Employees 

Our teams’ efforts in the field and office are the reason behind the success of GF Electrical. We therefore wanted to make sure we were looking out for our staff’s health, especially given recent times. We started looking into health insurance, but this didn’t work out for our demographic. After some more research, we came across a Health Cash Back scheme. Up to 100% money back on everyday healthcare, such as Dental, Optical and Physiotherapy. We opted for this, as it is an attractive benefit that covers everyday health, more than just major illness.  

In addition to the employees’ terms, we’ve now included a Death in Service policy. Most of our team have spouses and dependents and they can be assured that their next of kin will be looked after should they pass whilst being in our employment.  

These benefits for our team include access to further help, 24hr GP services, one-on-one consultations with professionals and mental health guidance via an app ‘myStrength’. Employees can learn from hundreds of evidence-based activities at their own pace, from guided meditation to improving sleep. Helping them to improve their mental wellbeing and emotional resilience. The app allows personalised support, goal setting and mood tracking.  

Revamping Van

Company vans continue to be a nightmare to get, with long waiting times and eye watering prices! 

When looking at our options we decided to look at revamping one of our older vans. Our old Caddy has historically been kept for our young apprentices and we were at the point of getting rid as it was starting to look tired. But mechanically it was in excellent condition. 

With two new members to the team, it seemed ridiculous to let it go and have the upfront cost of buying a new van let alone wait for over 9 months for its replacement to come. 

So off it went for some love and care. A professional clean inside and a full respray carried out by our local body shop, Pit-Stop Paintworx. The results speak for themselves, and we were really pleased. 

 

 

Boosting Morale 

We like to try and support our staff extracurricular activities. From Billy moving to play football for Wimborne and Jack with his competitions in Judo. Three of our apprentices started playing at Witchampton Football Club. As a show of support and way of sponsorship for them, we supplied all materials for them to update the electrics in the club house. It’s been great to give something back to our guys who are part of a team outside of work.  

 

Ensuring our team builds bonds is important to us at GF Electrical! We try to get everyone out for a fun day 

twice a year to show our appreciation to our great workforce. For our Summer Do, we went to the Cumberland Hotel to watch the Bournemouth Air Show! The weather was beautiful, with lovely blue skies coming out as the day went on.  An enjoyable day was had by all! So, pleased we got to experience this together especially with reports that this maybe the last time we see the red arrows over Bournemouth. 

It came at a brilliant time as our 3 new team members who joined in July. It was great to have them involved and get to know everyone in a fun environment.

This years Christmas Do we headed to Mulligans in Bournemouth for 18 holes of golf and a great buffet! We certainly had a fun evening! 

 

 

 

 

Tasty Christmas Treats

This year we decided not to do Christmas cards. So, for our long-standing fab clients, we got some lovely Christmas biscuits made by The Lettie Gray Bakery and went out and about delivering!