Your Future – Jobert Fermilan
Civil engineer turned entrepreneur who now runs his own business – Morgan Consult & Advisory.
– Tell us about your career path
“I started as an environmental and civil engineering apprentice just under 15 years ago with Amey Owen Williams Limited, who looked after a maintenance contract in Cumbria. I studied for two years at Carlisle College, and I requested further studies and went to Glasgow Caledonian University on part-time release. I’m really practical so earning whilst learning was my motivation and driver. I wanted to get a job as that was key to me leaving school at 16. You could only leave if you had a job or a place at college so that’s why I took the apprenticeship route.”
– What’s your top tip for someone wanting a job like yours?
“Volunteer and get involved in lots of extracurricular activities as I did. I got involved with professional engineering institutions sitting on branch committees then progressed to national committee boards and I’m now part of their executive board as a director with the Institute of Highways Engineering. I’ve really enjoyed working with young people and the engineers of the future through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities which not only raises awareness of career paths for them but has also been a platform to leapfrog my own career.”
– What brought you to Cumbria?
“I moved here from the Philippines when I was five with my mum and sister as my dad’s British. It was quite daunting and a massive culture shock, but sport helped to make it feel like home and everyone was very welcoming.
“The natural beauty is a big one. The Lake District, the green environment, the mountains, the people. I lived in Penrith, and I liked the town and I find people all over the county very welcoming. There’s lots of infrastructure and regeneration along the West coast and up to Carlisle but for me it’s all about the outdoors. Whether I’m running or hiking up a hill like Scafell Pike or Blencartha. And I played a lot of sport, representing the county in Rugby consecutively over the years is one of my biggest achievements.”
– What’s your advice to anyone thinking about coming to or staying in Cumbria to live and/or work?
- “Opportunities: There are so many career paths and that’s without the advance of the digital age that’s being embraced by industry and will offer more digital and transferable roles. In civil engineering and construction, the possibilities are endless. There are lots of opportunities with national and international companies within the county. You can stay in Cumbria, or you can go and experience different countries or work in various parts of a business in offices across the UK.
- Natural beauty: This is a big one. We’ve got the Lake District, amazing green environments, the mountains and so many beautiful places to visit. I love running or hiking up a hill like Scafell Pike or Blencathra.
- The people: I grew up in Penrith, but the people are equally as friendly all over the county.
- Regeneration and lots going on: There’s lots of infrastructure and regeneration all over Cumbria bringing exciting changes including in Carlisle with the new university campus, active travel schemes and the A66.
- Work/life balance: I’ve two sons so over the last few years I’ve really had to adjust my working pattern. A lot of employers now offer agile working policies including WSP where I worked previously. The 9-5 job doesn’t really exist anymore there’s more flexibility to make work fit around family commitments. That’s one of the reasons I set up my own business to give my self ultimate flexibility.”