Member Article

Mobile Mini’s apprentice driving forward following second promotion

“I’m proof that with an apprenticeship anything is possible, you just have to have the right mind-set and develop your skills appropriately.”

The words of 20-year-old Macauley Underwood have never been more relevant as the UK gets set to celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week on March 6.

Macauley, from Durham, will join the thousands of employers and apprentices from across the country who will be coming together to celebrate the success of apprenticeships over the last decade and seek to encourage more people to choose them as a fast-track to a great career.

Having undertaken a Business Administration Apprenticeship through training provider ITEC North East, Macauley has spent the last three years rising through the ranks at Mobile Mini, a leading hirer of portable accommodation and secure storage containers, with its global operations based in Arizona and UK headquarters based in Stockton on Tees.

Earning himself two promotions within his short time at the Company, the internal sales executive, who started out as a national account administrator, fully credits his apprenticeship for his success.

“I genuinely believe the apprenticeship has changed my lifestyle and if I had decided not to give it a go, I’d be stuck in a dead-end job,” said Macauley.

“The sales route was always one I wanted to take and when I got my second promotion at Mobile Mini I couldn’t believe it, but it just goes to show what an apprenticeship can lead to.

“My mantra has always been ‘nothing is impossible, even the word itself say I’m-possible’ and this is what I tell all new apprentices coming through the Company. I would advise anyone thinking about doing an apprenticeship to give it a go, as there are so many different doorways which can be opened by going down this route.”

Macauley’s first promotion at Mobile Mini, to national account co-ordinator, came just 9 months after he first started his apprenticeship and it was clear to his colleagues from an early stage, he would prove himself to be a massive asset to the firm.

“From the moment Macauley joined the team at Mobile Mini, we recognised his potential to be extremely successful,” said HR Director, Louise Arnold.

“His work rate and enthusiasm for the Company is second to none and he’s gone from dealing with admin work and minimal customer contact, to handling daily sales enquiries and building his own customer base.

“Macauley is just one of our many apprentice success stories and we’re delighted to provide opportunities for people to learn and develop in a successful, ambitious company.”

Mobile Mini, which recently reported a record year for 2016, with annual income hitting £59.8m for 2016, a 3.8% increase on 2015, employs 14 apprentices across its head office and sixteen UK branches stretching from Glasgow to Southampton.

Macauley is excited for the Company’s future and the opportunities which will continue to be presented to him in his career.

“Seeing the Company going in the right direction spurs me on to develop further,” continued Macauley.

“I have always had the support of my manager and colleagues to keep progressing and go as far as I can. This time next year, I hope to be a regional account manager and in the future, who knows, sales director or even MD; after all, anything is possible!”

To find out more about Mobile Mini, visit http://www.mobilemini.co.uk.

Twitter: @MobileMiniUK

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Harvey and Hugo .