Jobs boost marks 70th year of Bell
Firm giving apprentices step on the ladder
Perthshire family firm RW Bell is planning to take on five apprentices to toast its 70th anniversary.
While businesses are reluctant to offer school leavers a step onto the jobs ladder, the Pitlochry business has offered nearly 100 apprenticeships since 1949.
Last year the electrical firm created by decorated wartime flyer Robbie ‘Tinkle’ Bell in 1947 offered apprenticeships to budding electricians, plumbers and joiners.
The company’s first ever apprentice was Ford Carruthers, the father of current managing director Stephen.
Ford, who was brought on board in 1949 at the age of 15 to learn the ins and outs of radio engineering, went on to become one of three new owners in 1973.
Nowadays, with a 50-strong staff, RW Bell Building Services is one of Highland Perthshire’s biggest employers, specialising in electrical, joinery, plumbing and renewables.
And the RW Bell Electrical wing has expanded into Aviemore, creating eight new jobs at a Dalfaber Industrial Estate base which extends their reach along the A9 corridor.
It’s a far cry from the early days when radio repairs provided the bulk of wartime Pathfinder Mr Bell’s workload and new technology came in the form of gramophones and the first televisions – which, at £100, added up to 10 weeks’ pre-tax wages for the average working man. RW Bell Electrical’s Alan Smith
The Aviemore branch is headedup by director Alan Smith, a retained firefighter and watch manager in charge of Pitlochry Fire Station.
He said: “Pitlochry remains our base for projects across Scotland but we have been securing more and more work from the Aviemore and Boat of Garten area and decided the time was right to expand.”
Explaining the firm’s commitment to handling
Founder Robbie Bell in his days as a rear gunner
apprenticeships in conjunction with colleges in Perth and Dundee, Mr Smith said: “As a business in a predominantly rural area with a commitment to quality customer service it makes sense to train and retain our own tradesmen. “