Engineering and Technical

Emma, Plant Maintenance Fitter - “It feels amazing when you can follow your interests and make it your daily job. I love fixing things!”

“Before I joined Sunbelt, I had no experience in the lifting or construction industry. I was a Hairdresser and Teacher Trainer for over 10 years, but I fancied a change and spotted a job vacancy for a Driver at Sunbelt’s Burton depot.

Fixing is in the blood

“My interest in fixing equipment came to light during my job interview. My Grandad has been a Mechanic all his life and I’ve always enjoyed tinkering in the garage fixing cars. I got talking about this during my interview and I was asked if I would ever be interested in following this interest up vocationally as a Fitter.

Promoted quickly

“I was originally recruited as a Driver but my Manager recognised my interest in repairing equipment. I became LEEA (Lifting Equipment Engineers Association) qualified and just weeks later, I was promoted to become a fully-fledged Fitter for Sunbelts’ expert Lifting business which specialises in lifting and safety equipment.

Proud to be first-ever female Fitter

“I’m proud to be Sunbelt’s first-ever female Fitter and I’m responsible for the repair and maintenance of a huge range of equipment. I’ve been given some fantastic development opportunities and obtained my Forklift licence. I’ve gone from glitz and glam when I was a hairdresser, to fixing equipment. It feels amazing when you can follow your interests and make it your daily job. I love fixing things!

All the support I could ever want

“I’ve received a great deal of support from my colleagues. I’m looking forward to completing my Level 2 LEEA qualification and gaining more practical experience before carrying out Level 3.”

Mike, Hoist Installer - “I love that my job isn’t a standard 9-5 role. I work on exciting projects that most people don’t have the opportunity to see.”

“When I left school, I was interested in working in an engineering type role and an opportunity came up locally with Sunbelt Rentals, the hoisting division of Sunbelt. I’m so glad I joined as I haven’t looked back since!

Becoming qualified

“There’s a brilliant induction programme to help get you settled in. Two Hoist Installers initially shadowed me on-site and I received extensive harness and equipment training. I received my CSCS card, CCNSG Safety Passport and completed NVQ Level 2 and 3 qualifications in Hoist Installation. I’ve since gone on to complete my SSSTS Site Supervisor qualification to become a ‘black hat’ on-site.

Exciting projects

“My job isn’t a standard 9-5 role but that suits me! We sometimes have to work through the night and we’re fortunate to work on exciting projects such as MediaCityUK in Salford, Axis Tower on Deansgate in Manchester and Lexington Towers on Liverpool Waterfront. The views are just stunning! It may sound obvious but you do need a head for heights as we can be 200 metres in the air in all weather conditions.

Proud to work for a FTSE 100 company

“I’ve been with the company for 16 years now and I’ve worked my way up to Hoist Installation Supervisor. There’s plenty of room to progress in the company and it’s great to be part of a FTSE 100 company. I’m really proud to say I work for the market leader in bespoke and specialist hoist solutions.”

Lee, Fitter - “I’ve been an Sunbelt Fitter for 12 years but I’m still learning new things every day.”

“I’ve always had an interest in farming and fixing things, so a Fitter role was ideal for me when I left school. In my job, I get the opportunity to repair and maintain a wide range of equipment - one day it can be a digger, the next day it can be powered access equipment and the next a generator.

Always learning

“I like the fact that there’s always something different to do and even though I’ve been a Fitter at Sunbelt for 12 years now, I’m still learning new things every day. I work alongside six or seven other Fitters and Apprentices and we all get on really well together.

Out on the road

“I’ve been assigned special responsibilities such as the repair and maintenance of specialist paving equipment for a council contract. I’m a Mobile Fitter so that means I drive my own service van and get out on-site most days. I like being out on the road and taking this week as an example, I’ve been to a power plant most days making sure equipment is in good working order for our customer.

Here for the long-term

“Sunbelt is a very good company to work for and I’ve always been well looked after. I’d like to think that I’ll be here for many more years to come!”