What does your role involve?
My trade is a multi-skilled plumber. My day-to-day activities would be basic heating, changing radiators and hot water cylinders, as well as toilet repairs, fitting new toilets and any sort of leaking pipework.
How long have you been at Selwood Housing?
I started in 2004, so I’ve been here for twenty years! I’ve probably stayed so long because I generally enjoy my job. I look forward to coming to work, and I’m just happy here.
What does a typical day at work look like?
A typical day for me as a multi-skilled plumber is heating and plumbing repairs. I’ve gained an awful lot of experience over the past twenty years. Some of the newer or younger guys that have started ask me for advice. If they’re not sure how to do things, I’ll go with them and show them how to do it. Hopefully they’ll learn at the same time as progressing their careers.
Whatever job I have to do, I do it to the best of my ability. I treat all customers the same, and I wouldn’t do anything less for anyone.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
What I enjoy most about my job is being out and about every day. I’m in and out of houses all the time, in different towns and with different people. I enjoy just chatting to customers, and I’ve been here so long, it’s enabled me to see the customers and their children grow up. And they’ve seen me grow from an apprentice to where I am now.
How have you managed to progress your career at Selwood?
I started as an apprentice where I learned basic plumbing and heating. Then I went on to installing boilers, radiators, and heating systems. I found I was happiest taking on the plumbing role, but I have upskilled myself by doing basic carpentry and tiling.
There are lots of opportunities to progress in the company. We have very supportive supervisors, who encourage us to progress and move around in different departments within Selwood Housing.
I did a four-day crash course on plastering, which is just something different to what I’m usually doing. It’s exciting and new, and sort of challenging, but I really enjoy it.
What advice would you give anyone thinking of joining Selwood?
For anyone looking to progress within Selwood Housing, my biggest advice is to be honest, be open and ask.
