With their first placement now coming to a close, each graduate has reflected on their experience so far, the highlights, the challenges, the learning curve, and what they’re most excited about as they step into their next role.
First Impressions: Settling Into GAP
The first few months were described as insightful, educational, and fast-paced. All three graduates agreed the learning curve was steep but hugely rewarding.
- Adam Rayer summed up his experience as “insightful, fun and challenging”, particularly as he learnt to navigate GAP’s extensive product fleet
- For Euan Reid, the early weeks were “very educational”, with plenty to learn and many new people to meet
- Adam Diab described the start of the programme as “eye-opening, hands-on, and full of growth” as he quickly realised the extent of GAP’s divisions.
What stood out most was how supportive and patient the teams were across the depots, making the transition into a new industry both manageable and enjoyable.
What They Enjoyed Most
A shared highlight was meeting the depot teams and becoming part of everyday depot life. They especially enjoyed engaging directly with customers and challenging themselves through real, hands-on tasks.
- Adam R enjoyed the exposure to different working environments: “Each depot has its own cultures, and I’ve loved getting to know everyone.”
- Euan particularly appreciated the challenge of building product knowledge: “It’s been fun pushing myself to know as much as I can by the end of each placement.”
- Adam D highlighted the value of the breadth of knowledge: “Gaining hands-on exposure to Plant, Lifting, Non-Mech and Welfare gave me a new appreciation for the scale and expertise within GAP.”
Challenges and Growth
As with any new role, the biggest challenge was building product knowledge and understanding equipment across GAP’s specialist divisions.
- “Getting a grasp on the range of products in each division and understanding not just the code but the specifics of each item was tough,” Adam R said. “But every depot helped me build that knowledge.”
- Euan admitted the first few weeks were a steep learning curve: “Customer questions that the experienced HSCs answered instantly took me a bit longer, but over time you pick up so much that it becomes second nature.”
- Adam D added: “At first, the technical side across divisions was overwhelming, but rotating across departments helped me build a solid foundation.”
Learning and Development
Across their placement, all three graduates saw significant growth in technical knowledge, communication and confidence.
- Adam R said he learnt, “the logistics required to service and supply kit, and how to oversee the entire hire process from enquiry to off-hire.”
- Euan noticed a huge improvement in his communication: “It’s really important that the customer understands important information, and that you understand what they are asking for. Being concise and clear has definitely become a strength.”
- Adam D appreciated the balance of support and autonomy: “Managers were invested in my success. I always felt guided, but also trusted to take ownership of my learning, which really accelerated my development.”
Team Culture and Taking Ownership
The strong sense of teamwork within the depots left a lasting impression.
- Euan described the depot teams as “welcoming, supportive, and very close-knit,” adding, “Everyone knows what needs done and works together to achieve it.”
- Adam R said, “Each Hiredesk has helped get me up to speed with kit and codes, and every General Manager took the time to go through targets and P&L with me.”
- Adam D added, “Every team was willing to share their knowledge. I felt part of the team from day one.”
They were also given real responsibility early on.
- “I was trusted to deal with incoming enquiries over the phone and email,” said Adam R. “That freedom was the best way to learn.”
- Euan shared, “Whenever a delivery or stock issue came up, managers gave me the responsibility to deal with it myself.”
- Adam D reflected, “Taking ownership of quotations, contracts and delivery coordination pushed me to develop quickly.”
Adding Value to the Business
The graduates also embraced opportunities to take ownership, contribute to daily operations, and add real value to the business from day one.
- “When I was given my own screen and phone, I felt I was genuinely adding value,” said Adam R. “Customers were happy to deal with me even though I was new.”
- Euan highlighted how “Having an extra person on the hire desk definitely improves efficiency and speeds up customer services times.”
- Adam D added, “Seeing my input directly contribute to customer satisfaction made me feel like I was making a real difference.”
Looking Ahead
With their next placements approaching, the graduates are excited to broaden their experience further.
- “I’m excited for the next stage,” said Adam R. “I’ve already met some of the Area and Technical Sales Reps—and the role looks really interesting.”
- Euan shared, “I’m excited but nervous. I felt the same way about the HSC role, and here I am now. I’m looking forward to meeting a new team and learning another side of the company.”
- Adam D added, “I’m excited to take on my next challenge and continue learning from new teams, applying everything I’ve developed so far.”
Personal Highlights and Lighter Moments
There was no shortage of memorable moments:
- “Doing the Glasgow Half Marathon and a 5K race with Technical Sales Rep Brian Totty was brilliant,” said Adam R.
- Euan said, “Every day in the depot there’s always something funny going on—it’s a great environment and a good laugh.”
- Adam D shared one of his favourite stories: “Trying to remember all six team members named Stevie in the same depot definitely kept me on my toes!”
Adam Rayer, Euan Reid and Adam Diab have each made an exceptional start to their careers at GAP. Their enthusiasm, adaptability, and willingness to embrace every challenge have already made a meaningful difference in the depots they have supported.
We’re looking forward to seeing how they continue to grow throughout the programme and sharing more updates from their journey.