Twenty-six year old Jamie Potter joined Control Group in 2007 as a general operative after spending several years working in the leisure industry.
Life on the front line
by David Jordan
Milton Keynes-based Control Group is a leading UK business services provider comprising five separate divisions: business moves, document archiving, document destruction, interior design and IT systems. Twenty-six year old Jamie Potter joined the company in 2007 as a general operative after spending several years working in the leisure industry.
The Control Group provides a wide range of services so general operatives have to master a number of different skills in addition to those of the traditional mover. “The job is very varied,” said Jamie. “I get involved in several different types of work, not just the moving side, so every day is different.” On average Jamie spends about three days a week working on relocation work and the rest of the time carrying out document archiving and secure shredding. During relocation projects he also helps the company’s technicians with the fixing of IT cabling and other aspects of installation. “I’m always keen to learn new skills and the company is very keen to make sure everyone is properly trained,” said Jamie. “We’re all put through the basic courses like health & safety and materials handling, but we’re trained to do other things as well. I recently qualified to carry out PAT testing, so that’s another service I’m able to give our relocation customers. Apart from the formal training I’ve learnt a lot from the more experienced people in the crew; they’re always happy to pass on their skills to the younger guys.”
“There’s always a good atmosphere amongst the crews and a lot of friendly banter, that’s very important especially when you have to travel long distances and maybe stay overnight somewhere. Officially we work from 8.30 to 5.30 but often our working day is much longer, it’s the way our industry is, you just have to be flexible, it’s no good being a clock watcher.”
Recently Jamie’s old school became an academy and the Control Group were called in to move the equipment into the new buildings. “It felt really strange turning up at the school after so many years and helping to move all the stuff into the new academy buildings, it brought back a lot of memories,” said Jamie.
I asked Jamie what he enjoyed most about working for the Control Group. “I’m always busy and because the work is so varied I never get bored. The managers make sure we know what we’re doing and let us get on with it, there’s a lot of trust and I like that. Most of the guys here have been with the company much longer than I have and enjoy working here - it’s a happy ship.”
