We were very pleased to be able to offer a full time job to a new trainee arborist just after Christmas. Joe (in the photo below) joined us for a week or so of trial days after his interview and showed us what he could do.
Like many young people coming into the labour market for the first time, Joe had experience of more than one job but hadn’t settled into a consistent working pattern. His skills in bar work had taught him about dealing with members of the public and, to his great credit, his ambition to work outside had led him to fund himself through the first parts of his practical qualifications as a tree surgeon. Joe had limited experience working with another firm, but it hadn’t put him off, and he was as keen as mustard to get going!
We have had countless phone conversations with people wanting to get into the business and been pleased to pass on what we know about the different ways to get started. Joe is the twelfth young man who has joined us in the last 8 years when we made a conscious decision to begin offering training places, when the business needed them, to local people wanting to join the industry.
Some of them have been second jobbers, into their late teens or early twenties, who just weren’t finding much fulfilment in the jobs they had. One person came to us on a placement, not long out of long term residential medical treatment. More than one came to us during a college placement when they knew some of the theory but had no practical experience at all!
We have supported them in a whole variety of formal and informal ways; with externally accredited training, with daily practical application, via mentoring and coaching from our experienced expert team members, and by watching, talking with and being around our team – a really welcoming bunch who are keen to see everyone succeed in bringing our values of “friendly, professional and reliable” to life every day.
We’re delighted that two young men we recruited early in their working lives are still with us; both are skilled and reliable members of our team, willing and able to support Joe through his training now. Others have gone on to work for other firms and continue to make a contribution to the community locally, two have set up their own businesses and one returned to the south of France where he has implemented the solid and safe tree practice he learnt here.
It is certainly an investment to recruit and train a young person new to the business, but enormously satisfying when it works out for us all – employers, employees and valued customers!
Would your trees or hedges benefit from some work by our team? Call Andrew for a site visit and free quote on 07771 883061, 01256 817369 or email him at Andrew@primarytreesurgeons.co.uk