I Started as an Apprentice Plumber but was given the opportunity to learn new skills through multiple work streams at the Rotherham branch. I was supported thoroughly through this, even though to start with I was much slower than other trades. Management and my peers knew that in time the new skills would fully develop.
I was given lots of training during my time at Fortem including manual handling, asbestos, tetra, PASMA, Gas renewal (every 5 years), Doing the Basics Brilliantly, Delivering Service Excellence, etc.
When I was a trades man, I was offered to go on many networking events such as family fun days (played football), was invited to the name changing event where we went from Wilmott Dixon Partnerships to Fortem, Cultural Ambassador event, Trade, Apprentice and Trainee of the Year Awards, etc.
After gaining my NVQ in plumbing between 2006-2010, I took further training to become a multiskilled trade in plumbing and gas fitting. I carried out this role from 2010-2019, where I felt it was time to push myself further and became a Management Trainee in 2019.
The people of Fortem have made my career progression a real pleasure and have certainly aided greatly and if it wasn’t for the opportunities that Fortem offers I wouldn’t be where I am today. I do see the people I have built relationships with like family, as it feels that’s how they treat me. They have always been supportive through any part of my career, and even through life when you look at the benefits we get (health cover for example)
Also, being assigned a mentor really helps and I think it’s great that you don’t have to ask for one. The buddy system also for trades is a great idea. I too was a “buddy” for a couple of new starters. It’s great to see that when I was overseeing some apprentices, you got to be heavily involved with their development. It’s amazing the amount of praise and recognition you get as an apprentice through a variety of networking events.