As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2026, we’re proud to introduce Kye Bushnell – the first person to complete our apprenticeship programme and a shining example of what earning while learning can achieve.
When Kye Bushnell left school at 16, he wasn’t entirely sure what path to take, like many teenagers. A talented footballer with desires of a career in sport, it was advice from his family that nudged him towards a different direction – one that would see him earn while he learned, and build a highly sought-after skillset for life.
Five years later, Kye has achieved his NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Installation – a Gold Card qualification – and has passed every exam first time. He’s installed kilometres of high-power cabling, worked on some of the UK’s most critical infrastructure projects, and become an invaluable member of the EfficiencyIT team.
He’s also the first person to complete our apprenticeship programme. And we couldn’t be prouder.
From pot washing to power cables
Kye’s work ethic was evident from the start. He’d been working since the age of 14 – washing pots in cafes, helping out at a local farm shop, and eventually spending weekends with a family friend who was a domestic electrician.
“I wasn’t really interested in electrics at first,” Kye admits. “But it gave me an eye-opener. I realised I was decent at it and enjoyed the work.”
That realisation led him to pursue a Level 2 Electrical Installation course at college. A few months into his second year, his tutors encouraged him to seek an apprenticeship. He applied to several companies – and chose EfficiencyIT.
Learning two trades at once
One of the biggest challenges Kye faced was the gap between what he was learning at college and what he was doing on the job. His college course focused on domestic electrics – wiring plugs, installing light switches, and testing household circuits. But at EfficiencyIT, he was working in an entirely different world.
“I was having to learn two different things at the same time,” Kye explains. “The data centre industry is completely different. Everything is 50 to 100 times bigger than what you learn in college.”
Where a domestic electrician might wire a lighting circuit, Kye was installing 300mm diameter cables and switchgear rated at over 3,000 amps. Over his apprenticeship, he’s been responsible for terminating over 20 kilometres of high-capacity cabling – work that requires precision, confidence, and a deep understanding of commercial electrical systems.
More than just technical skills
Ask Kye what’s changed most since he started, and he’ll tell you it’s his confidence.
“If you asked anyone who knew me before my apprenticeship, they’d say I’m a completely different person,” he says. “Not just in terms of my work ability – I’m more confident working on my own in difficult situations, making my brain work to solve complex problems. But also in day-to-day life. I’m more outspoken. I have better conversations with people, and that’s largely because of my apprenticeship.”
He’s also developed skills that will serve him throughout his career: problem-solving, communication, and what he calls “competency” – the knowledge and confirmation that when he completes a job, it’s done right.
A supportive environment
Kye is quick to credit the EfficiencyIT leadership team – directors Nick, Ross, and Graham – for their support throughout his apprenticeship.
“I don’t think I’d have got through it without their support and reassurance,” he says. “When I was worried about my final exam, they were always there saying, ‘No matter what it takes, we’re going to get you through it.’ And here we are.”
That family feel is something EfficiencyIT takes seriously. As Nick Ewing, Managing Director, puts it: “Kye has had to battle over the last few years. The least we can do is support him when he needs it. If I could have 20 Kyes, I’d be a very happy man.”
What’s next?
Now fully qualified, Kye has his sights set on further development. First up is his 2391 Testing and Inspection qualification, which will allow him to test and sign off on other engineers’ work.
After that, he wants to specialise in UPS systems – the uninterruptible power supplies that keep data centres running.
“Ever since I started, I’ve been curious about UPS,” Kye says. “The ins and outs of how they work, what new technology is coming out. That’s definitely the route I want to take.”
Advice for aspiring apprentices
For anyone considering an apprenticeship, Kye’s message is simple: “Go for it. Don’t even think twice.”
“To look back at 22 and think I’ve accomplished something that a lot of people don’t achieve until their 30s or 40s – that’s a great feeling. I’m earning, I’m qualified, and I’m building a career in one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. For me, this was definitely the right decision.”
EfficiencyIT is committed to developing the next generation of skilled engineers for the data centre industry. To find out more about careers at EfficiencyIT, visit efficiencyit.com.
