ESB continue to impress at Technician of the Year Awards
03/03/2020
Going for their third straight victory at the Technician of the Year awards just proves that the ESB Fleet & Equipment division are maintaining their high standards.
Completing the three in a row was always going to be difficult and so it proved, but for the Limerick branch of the division, it was an experience to savour.
Daniel Collins was the technician that represented the ESB this year and he admitted to the Irish Trucker that the whole experience was very enjoyable.
“After the initial entry there was a selection process which involved submitting my qualifications, work experience etc. It was great to be nominated and I always knew it would be tough to make it three in a row for the ESB, but it was certainly something worthwhile doing,” Daniel explained.
“Then it was on to a questionnaire with 25 questions about regulations within the transport industry and ESB’s input within the industry, info on C02 emissions, the latest technology and so on.
“After getting through that round it was down to the technical end of things. We spent a day where we underwent tests on technical assessments and competencies.
“There was a lot of work involved in getting through the process but, thankfully, it proved to be worth it in the end.”
Daniel stressed that even though he was the technician nominated, this was very much a team effort as all in the Limerick branch played their part
“It’s a team effort and we all work well together. We have five employees here and there’s a good mix of experience and young lads who have blended in well.”
The Limerick base looks after an impressive 220 vehicles, while a further 250 pieces of equipment that include teleporters, tractors, etc are catered for also. Foreman Seamus Lynch told us a lot of planning must go into their work.
“We have a good team here and we work well together. Looking after such an extensive fleet means that planning is everything. Between myself, Tony who looks after the admin, our lead mechanic Kieran, Daniel and lead supervisor Domhnall, the work is done accordingly.”
Safety is a major issue with the ESB and Seamus reveal that their daily routine ensures that no issues arise in this respect.
“Safety is our number one priority,” Seamus added. “Before any job, a GWSP (Garage, Workshop, Safety, Plans) is filled out before a vehicle goes on site. Everyone has to fill it out and it is an important measure in ensuring a safe working environment.”
Seamus added that it was a great reflection on the ESB’s Fleet & Equipment Division to be competing for these awards.
“ESB Networks are very supportive of their employees and there are always opportunities to grow within the company. We were delighted to see Daniel nominated as it reflects on the work been done here by all the staff.”
About the ESB
Electricity Supply Board (ESB) was established in 1927 as a statutory corporation in the Republic of Ireland under the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927. With a holding of 95%, ESB is majority owned by the Irish Government with the remaining 5% held by the trustees of an Employee Share Ownership Plan.
As a strong, diversified, vertically integrated utility, ESB operates right across the electricity market: from generation, through transmission and distribution to supply.
In addition, ESB extracts further value at certain points along this chain: supplying gas, using our networks to carry fibre for telecommunications, developing electric vehicle public charging infrastructure and more.
ESB is a leading Irish utility focused on providing excellent customer service and maintaining their financial strength.
They have a regulated asset base of approximately €9 billion with 43% of electricity generation capacity in the all-island market.
ESB Networks may be known for installing and maintaining the electricity supply to our homes and businesses, but the utility also offers many job opportunities. There are different sections to ESB Networks and one of these areas is the Fleet & Equipment Division
ESB Networks Fleet & Equipment team have an important role to play in operating their fleet and equipment in line with international standards and legislation. Fleet & Equipment Supervisor Seamus Lynch who was also present at the awards night commented that there is a great emphasis placed on training technicians to the standards.
ESB Networks employs over 3,200 people, from specialist network technicians on the front line connecting, maintaining and repairing the electricity system for Ireland's homes and businesses, to engineers, data scientists and IT professionals utilising emerging technologies to create one of the world's smartest and most resilient energy networks.
ESB Networks is part of ESB. As a strong, diversified, vertically integrated utility, ESB operates right across the electricity market: from generation, through transmission and distribution to supply. In addition, ESB extracts further value at certain points along this chain: supplying gas, using our networks to carry fibre for telecommunications, developing electric vehicle public charging infrastructure and more.
For more information visit: www.esbnetworks.ie or follow them on www.twitter.com/esbnetworks and www.facebook.com/esbnetworks
Taken from Irish Trucker & Light Commercials magazine, Jan/Feb 2020, Vol 23 No 1
