We spoke to one of our recently recruited colleagues Katrina Brown (23), who joined the team in November last year as a fibre engineer. Kat goes out to the homes of new customers to install broadband into their homes.

Tell us a bit about what you were doing before you came to Quickline.

I worked as a Teaching Assistant in a Provisional Referral Unit in Grimsby. I was dealing with children who were not in mainstream education, some with mental health problems, others with behavioural issues. I’d take them out and help them to get life and work experience. I did it for about two years but it could be quite difficult. I decided it was time to move on after I was assaulted by a student and suffered a fractured cheekbone.

What did you want to do as a child?

I wanted to be in the police. I studied criminology at college and really enjoyed it but I didn’t want to go to university. I did apply for the police twice but unfortunately, I didn’t get in.

What inspired you to move into engineering?

My step mum was an engineer with KCOM for a few years and is now actually a network planner for Quickline. When I was younger, I would ask her about what she did. I was really interested. So when I saw the job come up with Quickline I thought it was the opportunity I needed to get out of the role I was in and try something new.

What sort of qualifications did you need to get the job?

I came with no experience whatsoever in engineering. I knew it was going to be totally different from anything I had done before; that was what I liked about it.

I looked at what transferable skills I had.

When I first started, I just got stuck in straight away and have progressed from there. Now I can do installs on my own. I can use drills, climb poles, splice. I’ve got qualifications for underground safety, underground cabling. I’m really proud of myself. I was fully signed off within three months of starting.

Did you have any worries or concerns to overcome?

I was a bit nervous when I went out to do my first installation on my own but after that I have never looked back. I was really keen to get started and learn the job. I wanted to just get stuck straight in. I knew it was what I wanted to be doing for a living.

What are your hopes and inspirations for your future career?

My aim now is to keep at it, keep learning, see where I can progress to. I just want to get more experience in this role and I hope there could be opportunities for me in the future.

How do you feel about being the only woman in your team?

Working in a team of men doesn’t bother me at all. I have always had male friends and I have two brothers. I don’t think I have been treated any differently.

But I’d like there to be more women in the job, 100%. I’d like to think that more women will join the business over the years and do this sort of thing.