Premier Technical Services Group Ltd (PTSG) is creating new routes into specialist engineering careers by recognising the skills, values and potential people can bring from different backgrounds.
Julia Babinha has joined the Group as a Trainee Lightning Protection Engineer after beginning her career in a very different environment. She previously worked in a mental health hospital before gaining experience on building sites, where she discovered an interest in practical, hands-on work.
Her appointment also marks an important milestone for PTSG. Julia is the Group’s first female lightning protection engineer and the first female field-based engineer within its Testing and Inspection (T&I) team.
She will now work alongside experienced engineers on sites across the region while completing the training and qualifications needed to build her career in this highly specialised field.
Julia said: “I really enjoyed the site environment and the practical side of the work. When this opportunity came up, it felt like a great chance to learn something completely new while building on the experience I already had.
“I’m only a few weeks in, but I’m learning something new every day and I’m very grateful to PTSG for the opportunity.”
With specialist engineering industries continuing to face a skills shortage, PTSG is looking beyond traditional recruitment routes to find people with the right values, transferable skills and willingness to learn.
Jennifer Weller, Operations Director, said: “Our industry needs more skilled engineers, which means we have to think creatively about how we attract and develop people.
“Talent does not always arrive through a traditional route. Someone may come to us with experience from a completely different sector, but if they share our values and have the willingness to learn, the right training and support can help them build a successful career in specialist engineering.
“Julia brings excellent people skills and a real appetite to learn. Her appointment is also an important milestone for PTSG and our Testing and Inspection team. We’re delighted to welcome her and support her as she works towards her qualifications.”
Julia’s appointment forms part of PTSG’s wider investment in developing specialist skills and creating more ways for people to enter the industry. This year, the Group launched its biggest apprenticeship programme to date, with plans to recruit up to 150 apprentices over three years.
For more information about careers at PTSG, visit careers.ptsg.co.uk.
