Employee Spotlight: Tom Boyle
Meet Tom Boyle, a Senior Contracts Engineer with Actemium Birmingham, a business specialising in electrical and data infrastructure solutions. With nearly two decades at the company, Tom's career path demonstrates how the right apprenticeship programme, continuous support and growth mindset can build a rewarding long-term career.
His journey from site-based electrician to project leadership highlights the value of hands-on learning, ongoing development and the strength of the teams that make progression possible.
So Tom, how did it all start for you?
Well, I joined the business back in 2006, straight from school at 16. I always knew I wanted to do an apprenticeship rather than go down a purely academic route, and electrical work felt like a solid career choice. I’d seen family members working as electricians, so I had a good idea of what the job involved and what opportunities it could lead to.
I applied through Birmingham Electrical Training and also secured an apprenticeship with what was then Lee Beesley – just before it became Actemium.
Starting out on site at 16 was definitely a bit daunting, but the apprenticeship itself was really well structured. There were block-release college periods, regular exams, logbooks and then the AM2 practical assessment at the end, which brought everything together and gave you real confidence once you qualified.
What happened next?
After qualifying, I stayed within the same team that I’m still part of today, mainly supporting the BMW automotive account. I worked my way up from electrician to approved electrician, gaining more and more responsibility on site as I went.
From there, I moved into a site supervisor role at BMW Hams Hall, which I did for around five or six years. That role gave me a much broader view of all our BMW automotive projects – managing people, coordinating work on site and dealing directly with customers. It was a big step up – and a really important part of my development.
Moving off the tools is a big change. How did that come about?
About 18 months ago, one of our Senior Contracts Engineers started to reduce his hours due to semi-retirement. I was then given the opportunity to step off the tools and shadow him. It wasn’t an instant decision – after nearly 20 years on site, it felt like a big adjustment and almost like starting a new career.
But once I began understanding what the position involved, it started to feel like the right move. Site work is physically demanding – so having the chance to progress internally, with support and guidance, made it so much easier for me.
How important has training and development been along the way for you?
Training has played a huge part in my journey. Over the years I’ve completed a wide range of Actemium and VINCI Energies training, including commercial risk training, SMS training and the VINCI Accelerator Programme which finished last month.
What’s always stood out to me is the level of support from managers and the willingness of the business to invest in people. You’re encouraged to develop and given the tools to do so, which builds confidence and loyalty. That investment really does make a difference – personally and professionally – over the long term.
You’ve been with Actemium nearly two decades. What’s kept you here?
The people – without a doubt. There’s very little turnover in our team, which says a lot about the culture. You’re never left to struggle on your own; there’s always someone you can ask for help or advice.
The stability of the business is another massive factor. We’ve been through recessions and COVID, but Actemium has always been there and grown. That gives you a lot of confidence and reassurance about your future here.
What does your role look like day to day now?
My role nowadays covers estimating, tendering, project management and commercial responsibility, mainly supporting BMW sites across the UK. The variety is huge – one day it could be a small lighting change, the next a £1.3 million infrastructure project.
A big part is building and maintaining strong relationships with client. Trust is key. If you do what you say you’ll do, respond quickly and deliver consistently, customers keep coming back. That reliability is something we really pride ourselves on.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the electrical industry today?
Technical skills are obviously important, particularly understanding systems and design engineering, but soft skills are just as critical as you progress. Communication, confidence and attitude can really set you apart.
Being able to speak comfortably with customers, manage people on site and adapt how you communicate in different situations makes a big difference. Those skills often come with experience, but being open to learning them early on really helps.
Feeling inspired by Tom’s story to pursue a career in electrical engineering? Visit our career’s portal for available opportunities or drop us an email at reachout@actemium.co.uk.