Imran Shawish has never looked back since completing a career change as he approached his 40th birthday.
And he is encouraging trades people in the Bristol area to come and have a chat with us about employment opportunities.
We are inviting trades people to find out more about working for us on 22 and 29 July at Rexel – Components House, Industrial Estate, Vale Lane, Bristol, BS3 5SA - between 7am and 10am. As well as a potential new career route awaiting, a free breakfast bap is also available.
The events will allow people in trades to find out more about the opportunities and benefits of working for a social housing provider that looks after more than 80,000 customers in 39,000 homes across the South West.
Amongst the benefits of working in our trades workforce is a competitive salary and an attractive pension scheme, working with the latest tools and high technology vans as well as having the opportunity to work within a supportive team with shared goals to improve customers’ lives.
Imran says he has loved every minute of working for us since securing a Lead Technician in our Day-to-Day IMS team in February this year.
Having moved to Libya at the age of one with his Libyan father and Welsh mother, he returned to England at the age of 16 to launch his career in the building trade, helping to maintain a portfolio of 40 homes in the Bath area.
He then moved to an American tyre and rubber company, where he performed a number of roles, including warehouse manager, supervisor and manager before securing a role in the Procurement team.
But a ‘lightbulb’ moment as he neared his 40th birthday prompted Imran to look for a more fulfilling role where he could make a genuine difference to people's lives.
“I just had a moment, a lightbulb moment, where I thought to myself if I don’t follow my heart and do something more rewarding in my career, I never will do,” said Imran.
“Joining LiveWest is the best move I have ever made. It has helped me to fulfil my ambition of putting something back into the community.
“Making a difference to someone’s life is very rewarding. Maintaining and improving people’s homes can mean so much to people. I love seeing the smile on their faces after we have visited – it gives me a huge sense of purpose knowing I have improved somebody’s day.
“I have only been here about five months, and I couldn’t have wished for more. All the managers can’t do enough for you and there is a supportive environment running through the organisation.
“Everyone is so willing to pass on their experience and knowledge and you are given all the tools needed to ensure that you succeed.
“You can tell that LiveWest wants the best outcomes for its employees, customers and the business as a whole.
“The welcome I got when I arrived made me feel right at home from minute one and I can’t speak highly enough of working here.
“I have worked for lots of organisations, but I have never felt as valued as I do here.
“I am in a team of eight and everyone looks out for each other. There is great camaraderie and a desire to deliver excellence together.”
As a Multi-Skilled Lead Technician, the variety of Imran’s working day means he gets to experience something different every day.
The father-of-three added: “No day is ever the same. I man the team inbox, which means I can quickly to reply to customers and colleagues. Some days I am out inspecting repairs, other days I might be doing van and stock audits and out meeting customers.
“Customer interaction is a big part of the role and LiveWest certainly puts customer welfare and satisfaction at the heart of everything they do.
“I juggle a lot in my role, but I genuinely love my job and go home feeling rewarded every day.
“For me, I have found an organisation that values me and the benefits and security provided by LiveWest gives me that stability that everyone wants in their life.”
Click here for more information about our career opportunities and current job vacancies.