Einars' Story - NVQ Level 2 in Saving Lives AKA Passive Fire Protection

We’ve worked with many people like you Einars, who had to step away from physically demanding trades to protect their health. It’s good to hear you did that and it’s a very smart move. When you moved into passive fire protection, how did you train for your new role?

I listened to guys with more experience; like 10 or 15 years’ experience. I’ve joined firestopping groups where the members share information and details about the job.

But the best thing is to practise hands on, on the job, and to ask questions. You might not know small things or specifications like what the distance should be from ‘there to there’. But you find this out in the way you work. When somebody tells you you’ve made a mistake, you must ask the question: why? Okay, you’ve made a mistake and now you’re going to fix it, but you must also find out why you made the mistake. This is how you improve at your trade: by soaking up the information from more experienced traders.

I went through some difficulties getting started and finding proper information about the trade. Some bosses don’t like it when you make mistakes when you’re new because every mistake costs them money. But now there is more information available online, and you can also access information from manufacturers because they have all the regulations and standards and installation guides; everything like that.

So, it was difficult to start with but I’m still swimming. I’m still in afloat with it.

You’re originally from Latvia. Did you work in construction in Latvia?

Yes, I’ve been in the UK since 2013. I was doing labouring jobs in Latvia, but it was nothing like what I’m doing here. It’s a more professional job I do here [firestopping]. It’s not just building a wall; it’s creating a safe escape route for vulnerable people and maximising their evacuation plan. I think this job is about saving lives and I think it’s much, much better [to labouring] – it’s on a different level.

Do you feel a lot of job satisfaction from doing this kind of work, knowing it’s helping to prevent fire and save lives?

Oh yes, definitely. But it depends on the site because on some sites, the work I’m doing is related to the insurance – a company cannot ensure their premises if the fire protection is not being built properly. But at the end of the day, you’re still saving lives.

You originally completed your NVQ Level 2 in Passive Fire Protection with us and now you’re working on your NVQ Level 3 in Occupational Work Supervision. What was your main reason for doing these qualifications and how do you see them benefitting you in your career?

To be more confident at work. With qualifications I can show my knowledge about my trade. I can show that I know what I’m talking about. If somebody doesn’t believe my word, I can show them my qualifications.

With my NVQs I also have more options for getting work. And the qualification process has given me more knowledge about the job that I do. That’s the main thing.

I have big ambitions for the future. I’m doing the firestopping and supervision contracting now and we’ll see how it all goes but I have ambitions to open my own company.

And speaking of future ambitions, what would you say to someone to encourage them to work in the firestopping trade?

It’s an interesting career. It’s not boring. Sometimes you get easy jobs, sometimes you get hard jobs. Sometimes you get shorter jobs, sometimes you get longer jobs. And that’s the beauty of this business: you aren’t rushed, you can take your time and do a proper job. Nobody is standing behind you whipping you and telling you, “faster, faster”. Because this job is about saving lives.

Tell us something about your life outside of work, Einars. What do you like doing with your time?

I like nature, wildlife, animals – anything related to the outdoors. I like hiking and walking; bird-watching. Anything to do with the outdoors!

What’s Latvia like? Is it a good place to enjoy outdoor life?

Yes, it’s nice place. It’s not a destination like you would go to Spain. But it’s nice in the summer. If you want a break from the city, from all that noise and everything like that. If you want to be close to nature – to the clear untouched nature – then it’s a good place to visit.

We’re bumping Latvia up our ‘List of Places to Visit’, Einars! Thank you for chatting with us today and sharing your story.