Meet Chris Downes – Water Hygiene Technician
Chris Downes joined TEC five months ago as a Water Hygiene Technician and he's never looked back.
""That's the great thing about this company - nine times out of ten, employees are promoted from within first. The people already working for the company get first shot at promotions. It shows you're not just a number.""
Meet Chris Downes – Water Hygiene Technician “I love the job, the people you meet – no two days are the same. The people are amazing, both clients and the rest of the team.” Chris Downes joined Total Environmental Compliance (TEC) five months ago as a Water Hygiene Technician and he’s never looked back, discovering what it’s like to work for a company that truly values its people.
From Plumbing Foundations to Water Hygiene Excellence
With a Level 2 City & Guilds plumbing qualification already under his belt, Chris was keen to build on his water industry knowledge. “I finished high school and went straight onto a Level 2 plumbing course, so I already had a bit of a background in water. I was really keen to work for a company like Total Environmental Compliance because I wanted to progress my career.”
What Does Chris Do Day-to-Day?
Working across the North West with clients including Onward Homes, Torus, schools, care homes and colleges, Chris’s varied role includes:
- Water temperature monitoring to ensure compliance
- Water sampling and analysis
- TMV (Thermostatic Mixing Valve) servicing
- Comprehensive water hygiene checks
“No two days are the same,” Chris explains. “You meet so many different characters every day – it keeps the job interesting and engaging.”
Training That Sets You Up for Success
Chris’s journey began with comprehensive training that gave him complete confidence:
Week 1: Three days of intensive office-based training covering critical TEC and PTSG induction courses
Weeks 2-3: Two weeks of field mentoring with experienced engineer Matt Lewis “Matt’s got the knowledge of everything. He’s absolutely amazing at what he does and the way he describes what needs to be done. I learned so much from him.”
Week 4: Competency assessment before working independently
A key part of the training focused on client interaction, especially when working with vulnerable residents. “There’s a way to reassure them that they are safe and help them understand what you’re there to do. It’s important that everyone feels safe when contractors are on site.”
Fully Equipped From Day One
“From the first day, I was given a van, all my PPE equipment, uniform and a comprehensive checklist to ensure I had absolutely everything I needed,” says Chris. “You’re never left wondering what you need or where to get it.”
Career Progression – A Real Possibility
What impressed Chris most was TEC’s commitment to internal promotion. After mentioning his plumbing qualification during a site competency check, discussions began about moving him into the Plumbing Team.
“That’s the great thing about this company – nine times out of ten, employees are promoted from within first. The people already working for the company get first shot at promotions. It shows you’re not just a number.”
Support When You Need It
The office support at TEC stands out for Chris: “Always there – literally any person I can ring from the office will answer instantly. They’ve always got reference notes to go back to on previous jobs to help you out.”
The scheduling team carefully considers where technicians live when planning routes: “They take into consideration where you live, which is amazing. The way they work it out is like Google Maps themselves – it saves so much travel time.”
Recognition That Matters
Unlike previous employers, Chris feels genuinely appreciated at TEC: “You definitely get noticed for doing good things within the company. You get thanks from the Account Managers and Regional Operations for good work – it makes all the difference to be appreciated for the hard work you do.”
What Makes a Great Water Hygiene Technician?
According to Chris, the key qualities are:
- Good timekeeping – reliability is crucial
- Self-management – happy to manage your own workload
- People skills – being polite, understanding and considerate
- Attention to detail – especially when recording site information
- Understanding the importance – this work is critical and legally required
Why Choose TEC?
“I’d say come and work for TEC because they are a great company with good values. They are great people who put their trust in you to do a good job. There are lots of opportunities to be promoted within, and they make sure you’re well trained, well equipped and well supported.”
