Crane manager – Gavin says those who ask questions get on.
REAL STORIES REAL PEOPLE
Hands-on- Zack says PD Ports is a great place to build a career.
GAVIN ROBINSON
From apprentice to crane manager
“ There’ s always going to be a river.”
Gavin joined PD Ports at 17 and spent four years earning his ONC, HNC and NVQ Level 3 while working on site. Night shifts dealing with electrical callouts taught him resilience. Twenty-two years later, he leads the crane engineering team and has helped bring in £ 4m electric cranes. Gavin loves the family atmosphere and wants new starters to ask questions:“ There’ s no such thing as a stupid question – the people who ask are the ones who succeed.”
ZACK MARK
Engineering variety with a side of independence
“ If you enjoy being hands-on and like variety, this is a great place to learn and build a career.”
Zack hadn’ t heard of PD Ports when he started his apprenticeship. He rotated through cranes, mobile plant and operational support and now works as a mechanical technician, fixing everything from forklifts to giant stackers. He loves the freedom PD Ports gives him:“ No one’ s stood over you. As long as the job’ s done right and safely, you’ re trusted to get on with it.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Teesport is the sixth largest port in the UK
PD Ports is the largest private employer in the Tees Valley
More than 44 % of PD Ports’ engineers started as apprentices and 20 % of its workforce is under 30
Advice- Patti urges young people to“ step out of their comfort zone”.
PATTI BURT
Steering business growth
“ I’ ve been at PD Ports for 19 years for a reason – I’ ve never felt like I needed a change.”
Patti started in the Portcentric team at Teesport and, while raising two children, moved into commercial roles. She took courses, gained a forklift licence, worked in freight forwarding and now drives unitised development, helping PD Ports launch services to Scotland and beyond. She’ s also leading the Women’ s Network Group.
GET INVOLVED!
We’ d love to hear from you! If you’ re aged 14-18 and curious about what goes on behind the port gates, email our Early Careers Advisor, Jas Kaur, who organises work experience, apprenticeships and school visits. Drop her a line at communications @ pdports. co. uk
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