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Daniel's the boss at 22
A young Chorley man has found himself in charge of a thriving business – at the age of 22!
Daniel Wilkinson has just been appointed general manager of Solfex Limited, a solar panel business run by Hutton-based plumbing and heating specialists Stuart Cooper Limited.
And it was a decision he made while at Holy Cross High School in Chorley he has to thank for his success.
When he was 16, he attended a careers day at the Burgh Lane school and discovered the opportunities available through an apprenticeship programme.
He decided that full-time classroom learning at college was not for him, yet an apprenticeship would give him the best of both worlds with on the job training to recognised qualifications and a wage.
Following his GSCEs, Daniel started a plumbing and heating apprenticeship at Training 2000 while working with Stuart Cooper Limited.
Daniel said: "I knew at 16 I didn't want to go straight to college from school, but I did want to continue learning new skills and gain new qualifications.
"At my school's careers event the plumbing and heating apprenticeship really appealed to me. It would give me hands-on experience and the opportunity to study for my NVQ Level 2 while earning.
"Working at Stuart Cooper Limited gave me the chance to learn a range of skills and gave me the confidence to progress further and achieve my NVQ Level 3. The combination of learning the trade at Training 2000 and then working, allowed me to put the skills I learnt from my training into practice."
Once he had completed his apprenticeship, he developed his skills further with Stuart Cooper Limited and grew interested in solar energy.
The company was keen to tap into the solar panel market and Daniel became a key member of the Solfex team.
Now, two years later, he has been promoted to general manager.
Daniel added: "I've only been working at Solfex for about two years and I have now become general manager. I am really proud of my achievements and I can honestly say I love my job.
"Each day brings new challenges and I thrive on it. To think how far I have come since starting my apprenticeship is amazing. I never thought at the age of 22 I would be second command in a flourishing business."
Stuart Cooper, managing director at Solfex, added: "Daniel has developed dramatically since joining us at 16. He showed commitment and enthusiasm from day one and has become a key member of the team.
"Since becoming general manager he has improved further, learning new skills giving direction and support to others within the business."
Daniel said: "I never thought I'd be where I am at 22. What I do know is embarking on an apprenticeship was definitely the best decision I have made."
Gary Downes, career development adviser at Training 2000, said: "Daniel's progression since starting at Training 2000 is outstanding. He progressed through his NVQ Level 2 and 3 well and it is great to see how his career has developed since. It just shows with dedication and ambition you really can do anything."
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Weather for Chorley
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: 0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
