Member Article

Inspired by learning new skills secures work

Inspired to learn a new skill John Lathey, 27 from Bingham Park Road in Sheffield, finds re-training to be a gas engineer was just the ticket to securing employment.

John started his working career in 2004 as a plumber which led him to Australia on a working visa only to discover his UK qualifications were not compatible to work within his trade there. Spurred on John took various labouring jobs and developed a new skill in groundworks before returning to the UK totally inspired to learn more trades.

“I was incredibly focused when I came back from Australia, it made me realise I could do anything. I should say at this point I am deaf, although never an issue for me, it doesn’t affect me or hold me back. I had always wanted to extend my plumbing knowledge into gas so I set about researching my options.” Says John.

John discovered Brookhouse Training through a Google search and was comforted to know they offered a guaranteed work placement; which without it wouldn’t enable him to qualify as a gas safe engineer on the Accredited Certification Scheme for Gas Fitting Operatives.

“I was apprehensive about the classroom situation but my tutor really understood and recognised my ability to understand the classroom discussions could be limited. So with my ability to lip-read I could focus solely on my tutor, read the books and get to grips with learning.”

After the compulsory classroom theory and in-centre practical learning sessions John completed his portfolio of work through a buddying scheme at the housing association Berneslai Homes. The scheme allowed John to work with a qualified gas engineer out in the field maintaining and installing domestic gas services across the housing associations properties in Barnsley.

James McConnell, director at Brookhouse Training says: “All of our students complete a portfolio of work on work experience. The experience is absolutely critical as it demonstrates to our external verifiers that they actually have the knowledge and skills in practice to become qualified gas engineers.”

John qualified at the end of 2012 and has now been offered a role with the housing association The Guinness Partnership in Chesterfield.

Brookhouse Training is the UK’s number one gas, plumbing, training and assessment specialist offering practical learning from within a bespoke state-of-the-art training centre based in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire. www.brookhousetraining.com

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