All our staff are brilliant and award-winning but, once a month, we thought we’d shine the spotlight and help you get to know some of our staff who have particularly interesting customers or backgrounds. This month, we’re getting to know our Pest Control Technician Wayne.
Before entering the world of pest control, Wayne was a Sergeant in the Royal Artillery. He then joined the training team at McLaren but unfortunately got made redundant during COVID. After applying for around 80 jobs and not getting a response, he finally got a reply! It was from Cleankill and this was the start of Wayne’s career in pest control.
Wayne joined us in 2021. He had no pest control experience but was eager and willing to train for a new career and was determined to succeed. He found it hard to begin with, starting in a new industry with no previous experience is no small feat. But, as time went on, Team Leader Daniel Parson says: “I could see he was slowly developing his skills.”
Wayne went through a very tough time in his personal life when he first started with Cleankill. His sister passed away and, not long after, Wayne’s mother passed away. It was an incredibly difficult time for him. Cleankill let him use the company van which was a huge help to him. Wayne says: “If a company is willing to look after you, you want to reciprocate.”
After 6 months of learning and developing his skills and knowledge, Wayne was really getting into his stride. His confidence grew and he began speaking with customers like he had years of experience.
After Wayne’s first year, he was awarded the Team Technician of the Year Award. To be awarded this, you must not only demonstrate consistent productivity but also be dependable in all areas and aspects of servicing. This is a tall order as the new guy in a team full of experience and knowledge. But Wayne's work ethic, integrity and enthusiasm to learn were why he was awarded with this accolade.
Wayne is described as a ‘machine’ by his colleagues, always being in front with his own work and taking it upon himself to help his teammates. He tackles every job with 100% focus and energy and continues to develop his skills. If there’s a problem on site or he’s not getting the results expected Wayne will ask what he’s missing or what he’s not seeing. In other words - how can he get better? This is because not only does he care about his clients, but he’s always eager to improve.
As a result of Wayne and other ex-forces team members being such a good fit for a career in pest control, Cleankill decided to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant. Wayne agreed to be the Armed Forces Ambassador for Cleankill and has been actively encouraging other former armed service colleagues to consider a career in pest control – not just with Cleankill but also with other companies. This is helping the industry wide shortage of pest control technicians. Wayne took part in a publicity exercise with the Army at Horseguards in London where he was photographed with Team Leader (and fellow ex-armed forces colleague) Neil Parker and a senior Army officer.
Wayne has been helping new starters, some of them highly experienced pest controllers who have transferred to Cleankill, to learn the ‘Cleankill Way’ as the company operates differently from its competitors.
Wayne is an outstanding pest controller and an excellent role model. His background in the forces means no job phases him and as a soldier who has seen ‘everything’, a rat is no match for Wayne.