Life at Protec
Protec benefits from a great team of people, and one of the things we are most proud of is the job retention of the people we have with us. We currently have over 55% of the team who have spent over ten years here. That’s over double the national average of five years! We think this is down to the warm, friendly environment and vast progression opportunities with the feeling of being part of a team.
We recently sat down with a few long-serving colleagues from different walks of the Protec life and asked them about their time here and what it’s been like for them. This is what they had to say:
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Name: Gaynor Mendola
Job Role: Electronic Stores Controller
Time spent at Protec: 35 Years
You started in 1987, when Protec was 20 years old. What was it like back then?
“It was back when the head office and factory was at a unit on Waterford Street, Nelson, so it was much smaller than it is now.”
How was a Protec job advertised back in 1987?
“My husband worked for Protec and got me the application form, and I have been here ever since.”
Protec prides itself on promotion from within. Have you experienced the benefits of this philosophy?
“I started on coil winding, then moved to work as a production assistant. I then moved to quality assurance. I then used some of these skills to perform a sales coordination role in the production office. After that, I carried out lots of jobs across the shop floor where I have come to settle in charge of electronics stores”.
What do you think the secret is at Protec?
“I think it’s how supportive they are when you have something happen in your personal life. They always support you at the time and as you go on.”
Is there one piece of advice you could offer to someone joining Protec?
“When you work in production, I would say don’t expect to stay in the same role. You will move around production, which is for your benefit to gain more experience, confidence and skills.”
Name: Karen Edgerley
Job Role: Extinguishing Team Leader
Time spent at Protec: 35 Years
You started in 1987, when Protec was 20 years old. What was it like back then?
“Very different. It was a lot smaller, and everyone knew everyone by their first name, so it felt like a little family.”
How was a Protec job advertised back in 1987?
“Usually, you knew someone who worked at Protec, and they got you an application form, so it was more word of mouth than advertising. I remember coming for an interview and being shown around the factory and each department, and at the end, I was asked which department do I want to work in.”
Protec prides itself on promotion from within. Have you experienced the benefits of this philosophy?
“I started on the shop floor as a solderer and then moved to stores, as well as helping out in purchasing to cover maternity. I was asked to move into customer service to carry out engineering support. After a few years, I applied for the extinguisher team leader role, which I am now in.”
What do you think the secret is at Protec?
“I would say the same as Gaynor. They are always supportive of you whenever you need it.”
Is there one piece of advice you could offer to someone joining Protec?
There are so many areas within the company. I would say just come with an open mind, as they will assist and train you to do all sorts of roles.
Name: Gary Spencer
Job Role: Custodial Service Manager
Time spent at Protec: 25 Years
You started in 1997, 10 years later than Gaynor and Karen. What was it like starting back then?
“I didn’t start at the head office. I was on the road as a service engineer. So there is a big difference between then and now out on the road. There were only six engineers in the Merseyside area when I started, and there’s definitely much more now.”
How was a Protec job advertised back in 1997?
“We had to do it the old-fashioned way back in them days and buy a paper. I had just finished my apprenticeship and was looking for further work when I came across the Protec advert in the Liverpool Echo for local service engineers.”
Protec prides itself on promotion from within. Have you experienced the benefits of this philosophy?
“I probably have done the biggest jump coming from out on the road into the office, which was a massive culture shock at first. To come from off the road as a field engineer into the office as a service team member and now becoming a custodial service manager it’s a different day to day experience.”
What do you think the secret is to a Protec career?
“Job security is the big one; just in today’s world, coming out of covid, many people have uncertainty around their jobs. We haven’t had that in our industry, so it’s a nice security blanket for us not having to worry.”
Is there one bit of advice you could offer to someone joining Protec?
“Progression is there if you’re willing to put in the hard work; from an engineer’s point of view, it gives you a trade for life if you’re ready to put the work in.”
So there we have it a brief roundup of what life is like at Protec, and how our long-serving colleagues have enjoyed their time with us and discussing how things have changed for them while the company has evolved. Should you be interested in a career with us, then why not head over to our job vacancies page where you will find a host of roles which might be ideal for you.