Why Hiring an Apprentice is a Smart Move – CSD Gas’s Experience

CSD Gas supports Gas Distribution Networks like Cadent and Southern Gas Networks in delivering mains replacement programs. Last September, Tony and his son Ted took on two apprentices, Julieta and Saad, to help grow their business while instilling company culture from the ground up. Here’s what Tony had to say about the journey so far:

Why did you choose Logic4training as your apprenticeship training provider?

Tony: We’d put one of our existing employees through Logic4training’s commercial gas competence programme and were impressed with the training he received. The company was just launching its apprenticeship scheme and we’d been thinking about taking on a couple of apprentices, so it felt like a good fit.

How has your experience been working with Logic4training?

Tony: It’s been brilliant. The support Logic4training has given us in moving our business forward has been excellent.

What kind of support has Logic4training provided to you as an employer?

Tony: The training programme that Logic4training has designed for apprentices fits our requirements very well. The model works on a block-release basis where our apprentices work with us for three weeks and are then with Logic4training for one.

They get a really rounded training experience this way. Learning from our engineers and Phil at Logic4training. Our apprentices can’t talk highly enough of him and the way he delivers their training sessions!

Megan who runs the apprenticeship scheme has been incredibly supportive. She helped us access Government funding and set up training accounts. It was all a bit daunting at the start, but with Megan’s help it’s all gone through very smoothly.

How have your apprentices developed since starting their training?

Tony: You can really see a difference in them. Their confidence has grown incredibly. Saad is a highly educated man and taken to the training like a duck to water. Julieta has been fantastic. She’s bright and able to hold her own in a traditionally male environment. We took them on in August, a month before they started with Logic4training so that they were familiar with the basics and could hit the ground running when they officially began their training programme. This really paid off.

Our engineers and customers are impressed with the way they’re both coming on. Initially they’d just watch what was happening, but now, five months in, they’re participating fully in the work and going from strength to strength. It’s been lovely to see their abilities develop.

What impact have these apprentices had on your business’s growth or operations?

Tony: It’s a bit early to tell, but we’re hoping Saad and Julieta will stay with us when they qualify and that in eighteen months’ time, we’ll be able to take on a couple more apprentices.

What would you say to employers who are unsure about hiring apprentices or working with a training provider like Logic4training?

Tony: I understand the risks involved in taking on apprentices, the fear is that they’ll walk away when they’re qualified, but if you treat them well, the hope is they’ll stay. We interested in building a team, to help our business grow in the future. We operate with a small workforce at the moment – roughly forty people – and we’re looking at gradual sustainable growth. For us, the apprenticeship model works very well.

Why More Businesses Should Consider Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships offer numerous benefits to both employers and apprentices. Here’s a quick comparison of why they make sense:

National Apprenticeship Week 2025 highlights how apprenticeships help businesses thrive while giving individuals the skills they need for a successful career. CSD Gas’s story with Logic4training is proof that investing in apprentices can be a win-win situation.

Find out more about how Logic4training can help you hire an apprentice and grow your business.