FEATURE
Happy – Simone Simms and Jess Ross feel at home working for TFS .
NOT JUST A NUMBER
The way Tees Fire Systems treats its people is key for Simone and Jess
Investing in Teesside talent has been a “ constant ” throughout Tees Fire Systems ’ story so far . Founded in 1996 by Kevin Hynes , now retired , the Middlesbrough-based fire safety and security systems specialist has continued to grow as its client list expands .
It now employs around 40 people – and for one of them , a recent task showed how starting with TFS can lead to a developing career .
Jess Ross began a Level 3 business administration apprenticeship with TFS just over six years ago before being made office administrator . She has now been promoted to business development manager . And recently , she found herself sitting alongside MD David Hynes , interviewing candidates for the latest apprenticeship role .
And Jess , 24 , had no problem spelling out to the candidates the positives of working for the Riverside Park-based firm .
She told Tees Business : “ I was telling them that to work here is really good because they do care about the staff – you ’ re not treated as a number , you ’ re treated like a person . They care about you and your development – if you want to do training , they ’ re open to that .
“ They also like to promote internally – not just within the office , but the engineers too .
“ As much as the candidates were selling themselves , I was selling the company because I take a lot of pride in where I work . You want people to be just as enthused about joining as you are about working here . I really felt in the interviews I was selling it to people but it was genuine , not just because I was sitting next to the boss . At one stage he said , ‘ I haven ’ t paid her to say that !’”
It ’ s a similar career development story for Simone Simms , whose time with TFS began as an office administrator nearly eight years ago , although she had already completed her apprenticeship elsewhere .
Within three years she was office manager and has now been promoted again to operations manager . And like Jess , she ’ s full of praise for the company ’ s policy of nurturing local talent and promoting from within .
She said : “ That ’ s one of the reasons I ’ ve stayed for so long . As Jess says , you ’ re not just a number , they look after you . You work hard and they like to see you up to date with any training you want .
“ They guide and mould people through their careers . It ’ s not just about profit , it ’ s about helping people locally .”
As a case in point , Jess and Simone expressed an interest in learning more about the fire systems the company ’ s engineers install , so they had more knowledge when talking to customers . Both are now booked on an FIAaccredited course to learn about fire alarms – “ That ’ s just because we literally
WORDS : DAVE ROBSON PICTURE : CHRIS BOOTH
asked ,” says former Nunthorpe School pupil Jess .
With their key office roles , Jess and Simone are regularly in contact with TFS ’ expert team of engineers – many of whom began as apprentices – as they install the very best in alarms , AOVs ( automatic opening vents ), fire safety systems , disabled refuges , CCTV , intruder alarms and access control systems .
Indeed , such is its reputation , TFS has been involved in several flagship projects , including Teesside Airport , Stockton ’ s Globe Theatre , the University Hospital of North Tees and installing the fire safety and security systems at the impressive new Boho X complex in Middlesbrough .
And according to Jess and Simone , it all makes it an interesting place to work – and a good place for career progression .
Jess said : “ When I started , I was doing basic admin roles , which progressed to things like managing large contracts for housing associations . And with other contracts , they let me take on more responsibilities , such as organising PPM visits , for example , being the main point of contact for people and making sure we do the visits in a timely manner .
“ Six years ago , I wouldn ’ t have thought I ’ d be business development manager , but as the business has grown , that opportunity has been there for me .”
To learn more about TFS and job opportunities , visit teesfire . co . uk
The voice of business in the Tees region | 77