Electrician hangs up toolbox after fifty years of fault fixing in the midlands

Mick Guest, a fitter based in Tipton, has celebrated 50 years of service in the electricity industry. The National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) employee began his career in 1975 as an apprentice electrician with the Midlands Electricity Board (MEB).

He recalls, "It was an honour to work for MEB. The training was excellent and gave me the skills to tackle a bit of everything." That early foundation enabled him to build a varied and hands-on career, taking on roles in civils, fault response and maintenance.

Over the decades, Mick has become known as someone colleagues turn to for advice and guidance. “Most mornings start with someone calling for advice,” he says. “Before I get to my own jobs, I’ve usually had a few questions from the team. I don’t mind, it’s good to help.”

His role remained unpredictable, something he has always embraced. One day he might be repairing generator leads used to keep customers connected during outages; the next, he could be preparing tools and equipment for the week ahead. “I’ve spent the last 50 years not knowing what I’m going to be doing from one day to the next, and that’s just the way I like it,” he says.

His willingness to step in when it counts has not gone unnoticed. On a recent occasion, Mick returned to work on a day off to repair a generator lead that was needed urgently, “I just wanted the equipment to be available to do the work.”, Mick explained, “It was the right thing to do.”

He has seen many changes in the industry, particularly in how safety and communication are managed. He describes both as among the most important improvements. The introduction of mobile phones, in particular, transformed the way teams coordinate and respond to jobs. “It was a huge leap forward when we all got mobile phones,” Mick says.

Some challenges, however, remain. Mick notes that the weather still plays a major role in their work. “If you think about it, we go out when everybody else is going home because it’s our job to keep the power on, whatever the weather,” he explains.

Now approaching retirement, Mick reflects on a long and fulfilling career. “I didn’t expect to stay this long, but when I got to 49 years, I thought I might as well stay a bit longer and do 50,” he says.

In retirement, Mick plans to support The Kids’ Clothes Project, a local charity set up by his niece to provide quality clothing to families in need across the West Midlands. He also hopes to spend more time reading from his personal collection of over 2,000 books.

Justin Hargate, NGED’s Operations Director for the West Midlands, said: “Mick’s 50 years of service is more than a measure of time. It reflects a deep commitment to his craft, to his colleagues and to the customers who rely on electricity every day. His dedication and work ethic will leave a lasting legacy at National Grid Electricity Distribution.”