Martin Ball - Hire Centre Manager York, Portakabin

As the Manager of the busy Portakabin Hire Centre at York, Martin Ball is enjoying the variety of his role. Although this isn't what he imagined when he was travelling the world.

"It took me quite a while to work out what I wanted to do with my career. I applied to go to Leeds University after leaving school, but it didn't work out as planned for a variety of reasons. I was though, determined to get a qualification, so went on to take an HND in Total Quality Management at Salford University.

"I realised that I didn't know what I wanted to do with my future, so once my studies were over, set off to travel and experience life."

The travelling took Martin to Australia, Thailand, Germany, Belgium and Spain. Along the way, he did work as a Quality Technician in a plastics factory for medical equipment, Project Management for Rover and Ford Fiesta cars, commercial sales and marketing jobs, packaging and more.

"Before coming to Portakabin, I worked to earn money - now, I work because I enjoy the job. The structure here is excellent and within that structure, I feel I can be entirely responsible for my future."

Martin arranged a visit to a Careers Psychologist in order to help focus on the direction he would take.

"She did a whole host of tests and suggested that my future was either in Engineering or a customer facing role. I had made the appointment to see her because I felt it was time to get my life in order and my career on track. But although she was helpful (and the experience amusing as she was a lot like Ruby Wax!), I was not completely sure about her assessment. But it did help me to decide that I wanted a commercial role.

During this time, Martin spoke to a friend who was working for Portakabin and liked the sound of what we were doing.

"I decided to apply directly to Portakabin and sent my CV to the local Regional Hire Centre to see if any positions were available. I got a call about a week later and after the interview, was offered the opportunity to join the Commercial Trainee Programme."

Martin took the chance, even though he had been keen to get on with the commercial side of the job and was less enthusiastic about going through training.

"But my assumptions were wrong. The training was great and it enabled me to view the entire operation so that I was in a better position at the end of it, to know what best suited me.

"I feel like a different person now. Portakabin is excellent at bringing out the best in their people and offering opportunities that you are not even aware of. I completed my training in less than two years and was then in a position to apply for the role I wanted."

For further information about joining us here at Portakabin, take a look at our Current Vacancies and Trainee Recruitment sections or get in touch and our team of helpful advisors will be happy to provide all the information you will need to help you make this important choice.