May has been one of the most positive months since I first signed the lease for the centre. For the first time, it feels like we're moving beyond bricks, mortar and building work, and starting to focus on what really matters, people, partnerships and delivery.
A major milestone this month has been the start of the approval process. It was great to welcome Dean Watson and David Lowe from BPEC to the centre as we began working through the various approval activities. There is still work to do, but the process is progressing well and it's encouraging to see everything starting to come together.
One area I've always been determined not to compromise on is quality. With that in mind, I'm delighted to say that we now have two excellent associates onboard.
Joe Thompson and Roy Fugler have both joined ProTech as Associates and are currently progressing through the approval process. Both will be delivering programmes, while Roy will also support assessment and Internal Quality Assurance activities. I'm also pleased to say that we're in the final stages of bringing a third Associate onboard, which I hope to announce next month.
What has impressed me most throughout these discussions is how aligned everyone has been. Skills and experience are important, but attitude, values and standards matter just as much. Everyone we are trying to bring in share the same commitment to quality that sits at the heart of ProTech, and have fully embraced the company's values from the outset.
Partnerships have also continued to develop this month. Dean Asher from Polypipe paid a visit to the centre, and it was great to spend some time discussing the industry and future opportunities. As a local manufacturer, their support is genuinely appreciated.
I'm also pleased to say that we're working in partnership with Ideal Heating. Having manufacturers who are willing to support training and skills development is incredibly important, particularly as our industry continues to evolve and adapt to new technologies and ways of working - I'll share more info and some photos on this, next time.
On the centre itself, there has been another significant milestone. The classroom and office are now fully complete. After months of delays, roof leaks, rework, frustration and more than a few sleepless nights, it feels good to finally be able to say that.
Of course, there's still plenty to do. There always will be.
At the end of the month I agreed to join Jonathon Hallam and the Warriors of Warmth team on a community project - Bailey Bears of Ashbourne. It's a fantastic initiative and something I enjoyed supporting... ProTech provided the 'snap' and I was the chef for the morning, a vocation I think I would have been ace at!
June is shaping up to be another busy month. I'll be out and about visiting both Lincoln College and Burnley College, continuing to build relationships as I look towards the future.
For now, though, May feels like an important milestone. The building work is largely behind us, the approval journey is underway, the team is growing, and the centre is finally starting to become what it was always intended to be.