Opportunity knocks
Mature students make dramatic career change
Two newly-qualified gas engineers who gained their trade certificates by studying as full-time mature students have been recruited by BGC.
Former Post Office sorting office manager Dave Potts, aged 41, and ex-lorry driver and motor mechanic Sean Scally, aged 43, have both made a dramatic career change.
After studying at Stoke on Trent College they passed the NVQ Level 2 and ACS (Accredited Certification Scheme), the basic qualifications required to work as a gas engineer. But they lacked the industry experience that most prospective employers are looking for - until the BGC job offer which was ideal for them.
Dave, who was at the Post Office for nearly 24- years before taking voluntary redundancy, said: "Even though I had the necessary qualifications, it is very difficult to get work because everyone wants experienced gas engineers.
"BGC have given me an excellent opportunity - I receive a wage and the chance to gain valuable experience and further my learning. I am given more time to do the work than would be expected from an experienced engineer and I have the back up, if needed, from colleagues who have been doing the job for years. I also have the incentive of knowing that as I speed up with experience there will be more financial rewards."
Sean Scally, who was a motor mechanic for 12 years and a lorry driver for 10 years, said: "I was really made up when I was offered this job. It is so difficult to gain the experience needed to get going in the industry.
"I´m confident in my ability to do the job but obviously I am slower than someone who has been doing it for years. This is tremendous experience for me. Besides what I am learning on the job, I am also studying at college for my NVQ Level 3 in fault finding and servicing."
BGC Principal Contracts Manager Steve Wright said the company were delighted to give newly qualified mature students an opportunity.
He said: "It´s a chicken and egg situation. They need the experience but it is tough to get a job until you have the experience. We need to give them plenty of time to do the jobs at first but we know that down the line we are going to end up with top quality experienced engineers."
