Mark Henton (31) - Now A Plumber
Mark, aged 31, was living in London and working as a postman. Fed-up with the early starts and living in the City, he decided to look into possible career change options. Mark realised he needed to learn new skills for whatever new career he chose and he needed to learn them quickly whilst still working to fund the training.
From delivering letters to a new career as a plumber
Having read in the press about the construction skills shortages getting worse with increased house building and the 2012 Olympics, he investigated various construction careers. Plumbing appealed most because of the variety of jobs involved, and the opportunity for self-employment.
Mark’s next challenge was to find a course he could fit around his work schedule. “There aren’t many available anywhere,” commented Mark. “When I saw the New Career Skills Programme, I knew it fitted my requirements exactly.”
Towards the end of his New Career Skills Programme the in-house Job Search service, called New Career Search, provided Mark with some recruitment agency details in the areas around where he wanted to move to. Almost immediately Mark found contract work with Southampton Council, and straight afterwards, Poole Council.
The work experience has helped Mark who said, “The work experience has allowed me to build-up my speed. I’ve also networked with a lot of potential employers so know where to go when I next need work. I’ve got experience on 1st and 2nd fix, and also working with the general public in their homes. Thank you to New Career Search for their support”.
From these two short-term contracts Mark now works for a large plumbing firm in Bournemouth doing plumbing work on new build flats. The work involves fitting bathrooms, sinks, showers, toilets and hanging radiators.
Mark not only has the new career he wanted, he now also has a new life in Bournemouth. All this in less than 12 months!
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