Name: Charlie P
Job Title: Fabricator
Length of Service: 3 years
👷 How did you get into this role?
Charlie was previously self-employed in construction as a carpenter. When work became quieter, his dad recommended he speak to his friend Martin about opportunities at The Traditional Company. Charlie already knew another employee, Ben, having been friends since nursery and throughout school, which made the move feel like a natural fit. Around the same time, Charlie sustained a torn ligament in his knee, so transitioning away from site-based floor work suited him well.
🎓 Qualifications & Training
Charlie holds qualifications in:
- Forklift operation
- Abrasive wheels (grinding)
- Fire extinguisher training
His welding skills have been developed over time and are largely self-taught.
🛠️ Previous Experience
Before joining the Fabrication Unit, Charlie worked as a self-employed carpenter in the construction industry.
⏰ What does a typical day look like?
Charlie starts work at 6:00am, usually with a cup of tea. Each day begins with job sheets provided by the office to Charlie in his role as team leader. He then distributes and prints tasks for the fabrication team.
From there, Charlie collects scrolls produced in another on-site unit and gathers the necessary materials to begin fabricating gates.
🔩 Tools of the Trade
In his role, Charlie regularly uses a range of specialist equipment, including:
- TIG and stick welders
- Angle grinders
- Gas cutters
- Tape measures and squares
- Extraction units
⚡Most Challenging Part of the Job
The early starts.
🏆 Best Project
Charlie’s favourite project was working with Craig on a set of bespoke gates. In total, three gates were fabricated, with the project taking approximately one week to complete. The photo below shows one of the gates.
