21 is a very crucial age, it’s where people start to think about getting your first ‘proper’ job, where they want to live and maybe where they want to go. Not a lot of 21-year-olds are already in a management position with a team of carpenters to look after.
This is where Tyrone is different, Tyrone (lovingly known as ‘Ty’ to our team) is the Carpentry Foreman here at Pathfinder Homes. Ty didn’t start off as a foreman, however, and he is the perfect of example of how hard work and determination pays off.
Ty started his journey all the way back on a cold December Saturday afternoon. Sue Hember, (Wife of Director Martin Hember & Ty’s performance leader at school) had suggested a friend of his come and wash fleet vans at Pathfinder Homes to earn a bit of money on the weekend. After much deliberation and agreeing to split the wages 50/50 Tyrone was roped in and began cleaning the Pathfinder Homes Van Fleet on December 15th, 2012.
Working from 8 am to 12 pm Ty’s hard work started paying off, his friend eventually left the position and Tyrone became “Chief Washer”, his first promotion.
Tyrone left school in 2013 and began the traditional route of Sixth Form, but quit after 2 months. Pathfinder Homes then took him on as a General Labourer and in late 2013, he decided to go back to college, Ty wanted to be doing something at the same time as learning and by applying for an Apprenticeship he found a perfect balance. With 4 days in the factory and a Tuesday-day release for college, Ty began on his path to Foremanship.
His apprenticeship journey wasn’t plain sailing however, he struggled with theory work and didn’t enjoy spending time in college, and he preferred to be in the factory rather than learning in college. Ty even considered dropping out of the apprentice program, after much deliberation and a long conversation with the production manager, he stayed and in fact, this conversation was a turning point. Ty started to focus more in college and began to drastically improve his theory scores, becoming one of the top in his class, he booked days off from work to catch-up on his college theory. He stayed later than he was required & was learning the trade in his own time.
As time went on, he became more committed to Pathfinder Homes and put his all into everything he did, his hard work and dedication paid off and in 2013, Ty completed his apprenticeship with top marks, and immediately joined Pathfinder Homes as a full-time fully-fledged carpenter.
5-Years on and with only a few minor incidents to his name, mostly a couple of cuts and scratches. Ty had the opportunity to apply for the Foreman role in Carpentry. This was a big chance for him, even other members of the team suggested he put his name in the hat, what’s the worst that can happen? After a long chat with the team and higher-management, he sat down and filled out his application.
He was given the job in September 2018 and within two months has taken to the role like a duck to water and has aims to one day be sat in the seat of our very own Managing Director or Company Chairman… and you’d be wrong to think he couldn’t.
Here’s a little profile on our Ty.
Favorite Football team – Plymouth Argyle
Favorite Sport – Football
Last 2 Played on Spotify – Tom Walker, Tom Grennen.
Rides a bike to work in the summer and gets a lift in the winter!
He’s a local lad! Live just down the road in Bovey Tracey
Has guaranteed us he will be a qualified driver next year!
