Name: Martin Phillips
Job title: Fleet Technician (Railways)
Company: MBP Engineering (Wrexham) Limited (self-employed and accepting contracts for various Rail Companies including Bombardier, Vivarail, GTR and SNC Lavalin/Porterbrook)
Please describe what your job typically involves
I must ensure all systems on a train work for passenger safety. For example, door systems, passenger information systems, compressors, air conditioning units, gear boxes, traction motors and brakes.
Why did you want to do this job, what inspired you?
I have served in many different areas of Engineering such as air conditioning, commercial pipe work, bathroom installations, heating systems and maintaining heavy machinery. I felt that I could use all my skills and knowledge gained from different industries in this field of engineering. I love trains and get a great deal of satisfaction of seeing my trains running into service for the public knowing they are safe to use. It’s also an industry by where the government are encouraging people to use public transport to reduce congestion and pollution on the roads. This means there is lots of funding and therefore it’s recession proof!
What qualifications do you need for this job?
I gained my City and Guilds Mechanical Engineering qualification from Glyndwr University (formerly Wrexham Technical College).
Did you go to college, university, or did you do an apprenticeship or other form of training?
I did apprenticeship training and a day release to college to gain my qualifications.
Are you required to do ongoing training?
Even now at 46 I’m required to undergo further training for example Train Driving Course, Working at Heights, Automatic Warning System, Train Passenger Warning Systems, Track Side Safety, Retrieving Broken Down Trains on a Live Track, Terrorist Training (after the London Terror Attacks, I had to be able to identify suspicious packages left on trains coming out of service) and Depot Protection.
Have you always done this job or have you changed career? What did you do before?
My first job was working part time whilst studying, I was a life guard at my local swimming baths! I’ve worked in Mental Health as a support worker working in a secure residential home. I wanted to support others less fortunate and give something back to the community. I wanted to teach vulnerable young people life skills and build confidence through encouragement. I have been self employed as a children’s playground fitter, factory installations, estate maintenance engineer at Bodelwyddan Hospital (water purification, boilers and air conditioning). I’ve also been a pipe fitter and structural welder on the Eagles Meadow development in Wrexham.
What do you like most about your job?
The people I work with are great team players. We all support each other when needed for example, we all have different skills and experience from various fields of engineering and it’s great to share good working practise and teach each other. It’s also good to know when you’ve done a great job and senior management acknowledge this.
Are there any downsides?
Being self-employed means contracts can come to an end sooner than expected. You could also be working long hours (50 hours per week) and weekends. It also means having to work away from home during the week. I’ve spent many years travelling the country and abroad in Europe working however this could be a positive as I’ve met many people and experienced a variety of cultures.
What advice would you give to a young person, who wanted to do a similar job, about how to get started?
Be prepared to travel or move away from home as many of the major train depots are in cities i.e. London, Birmingham, Norwich and Derby. Work hard and get the relevant qualifications as I know many men who could do my job easily but can’t be employed as they don’t hold the appropriate qualifications. The financial rewards are very substantial with the right training and qualifications. I know a young person who completed his apprenticeship at Crewe Works at the age of 23 and now earns more than £50,000 per year.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work? Interests, hobbies, etc.
I love travelling and visiting other countries. I also enjoy cooking and dining out. I love rugby, I follow RGC and Wales Under 20’s. I regularly watch them when they play at home at Eirias Park.
Job title: Fleet Technician (Railways)
Company: MBP Engineering (Wrexham) Limited (self-employed and accepting contracts for various Rail Companies including Bombardier, Vivarail, GTR and SNC Lavalin/Porterbrook)
Please describe what your job typically involves
I must ensure all systems on a train work for passenger safety. For example, door systems, passenger information systems, compressors, air conditioning units, gear boxes, traction motors and brakes.
Why did you want to do this job, what inspired you?
I have served in many different areas of Engineering such as air conditioning, commercial pipe work, bathroom installations, heating systems and maintaining heavy machinery. I felt that I could use all my skills and knowledge gained from different industries in this field of engineering. I love trains and get a great deal of satisfaction of seeing my trains running into service for the public knowing they are safe to use. It’s also an industry by where the government are encouraging people to use public transport to reduce congestion and pollution on the roads. This means there is lots of funding and therefore it’s recession proof!
What qualifications do you need for this job?
I gained my City and Guilds Mechanical Engineering qualification from Glyndwr University (formerly Wrexham Technical College).
Did you go to college, university, or did you do an apprenticeship or other form of training?
I did apprenticeship training and a day release to college to gain my qualifications.
Are you required to do ongoing training?
Even now at 46 I’m required to undergo further training for example Train Driving Course, Working at Heights, Automatic Warning System, Train Passenger Warning Systems, Track Side Safety, Retrieving Broken Down Trains on a Live Track, Terrorist Training (after the London Terror Attacks, I had to be able to identify suspicious packages left on trains coming out of service) and Depot Protection.
Have you always done this job or have you changed career? What did you do before?
My first job was working part time whilst studying, I was a life guard at my local swimming baths! I’ve worked in Mental Health as a support worker working in a secure residential home. I wanted to support others less fortunate and give something back to the community. I wanted to teach vulnerable young people life skills and build confidence through encouragement. I have been self employed as a children’s playground fitter, factory installations, estate maintenance engineer at Bodelwyddan Hospital (water purification, boilers and air conditioning). I’ve also been a pipe fitter and structural welder on the Eagles Meadow development in Wrexham.
What do you like most about your job?
The people I work with are great team players. We all support each other when needed for example, we all have different skills and experience from various fields of engineering and it’s great to share good working practise and teach each other. It’s also good to know when you’ve done a great job and senior management acknowledge this.
Are there any downsides?
Being self-employed means contracts can come to an end sooner than expected. You could also be working long hours (50 hours per week) and weekends. It also means having to work away from home during the week. I’ve spent many years travelling the country and abroad in Europe working however this could be a positive as I’ve met many people and experienced a variety of cultures.
What advice would you give to a young person, who wanted to do a similar job, about how to get started?
Be prepared to travel or move away from home as many of the major train depots are in cities i.e. London, Birmingham, Norwich and Derby. Work hard and get the relevant qualifications as I know many men who could do my job easily but can’t be employed as they don’t hold the appropriate qualifications. The financial rewards are very substantial with the right training and qualifications. I know a young person who completed his apprenticeship at Crewe Works at the age of 23 and now earns more than £50,000 per year.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work? Interests, hobbies, etc.
I love travelling and visiting other countries. I also enjoy cooking and dining out. I love rugby, I follow RGC and Wales Under 20’s. I regularly watch them when they play at home at Eirias Park.
