Page 22 - Gi flipbook April 2019

A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE

healthy, but my supervisor told me he happen. It’s a matter of self-worth. Now Nathan’s hard work, commitment
wouldn’t send me if he didn’t think I I walk into a restaurant with my kids and positive impact with colleagues has
could do it. Walking into that interview and pay with a debit card with my name also led to some industry recognition
I was like jelly.” on it, not cash. That level of normality is and he was recently shortlisted for an
The interview was conducted by Neil a massive achievement for me. It shows industry award. “I told my mum that I
Smith, MUS Project Manager for SGN I’ve earned my place in society.” had been shortlisted for the award and
Metering and Emergency Services. Neil Thanks to MUS and the in-depth she cried,” Nathan said. “I’ve changed
says: “Fortunately, I’m not new to more training he is receiving, Nathan says my life. I get to teach my daughter how
colourful results through background he finally has peace of mind, and is to lace her shoes. I can’t tell you what
checks as I’d worked on young no longer constantly looking over his that‘s worth.”
offenders programmes with National shoulder. “I’m free. I can visit places and
Grid. Nathan was clearly serious about estates that I could never have entered Morrison Utility Services (MUS) is a part
making something of himself and he before. It feels like my uniform is my of M Group Services, delivering a range
had the intelligence and personal skills invisibility cloak. I’m hoping one day to of essential infrastructure services to
to make it work. I recommended him go into schools and talk to kids, make the utilities, transport, data and telecom
for training without hesitation. We are them see the choice. I’m 38 and I’ve sectors across the UK and Ireland. For more
all incredibly proud of him.” become a fully qualified tradesman.” information visit www.morrisonus.com

Making a positive impact
After 18 months of training, Nathan
has worked hard to achieve a Level
3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation (NVQ
Level 3) and his final CODNESP1
(Changeover Domestic Natural Gas
Core to Emergency Service Provider)
qualification which allows him to add
Emergency Service Provider (ESP) to his
Gas Safe registration. Having achieved
all of the required qualifications,
Nathan is now on the verge of passing
out as a fully qualified First Call
Operative, working with a mentor FCO
and taking his place on the call-out rota
for emergency meter work.

“I’m free. I can visit places and
estates that I could never have
entered before. It feels like
my uniform is my invisibility
cloak. I’m hoping one day to go
into schools and talk to kids,
make them see the choice. I’m
38 and I’ve become a fully
qualified tradesman"

According to Nathan’s mentor Ricky
Essex, Nathan has both worked hard and
“made a positive impact” on everyone.
“He’s older than most of our
trainees, which means he has become
a role model for some of the younger
operatives,” said Ricky. “He treats
every day like a gift. I can’t wait to get
him training new starters because he’s
got the attitude that we want from our
whole workforce. He is the embodiment
of the saying ‘It’s never too late’.”
As a fully functioning member
of society Nathan is delighted that
his prison days are long behind
him. “Getting my first paycheque
felt surreal,” he said. “I’ve grown up
thinking that this wasn’t supposed to

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