CTTS recruit goes on to manage European project

MARK HOLBROOK'S STORY is a true success story. Mark joined the Forces at the tender age of 16 as a junior soldier and passed out at the end of 1977 to go in to the Parachute Regiment.

Mark's 22 year career in the Forces was to take him all over the world including time in Berlin during the Cold War and serving in the Falklands, where he was shot and wounded at Goose green.

After Mark's 22 years of Service was up, he realised it was time to make some decisions. Mark: "I had spent much of my Forces career in Communications. I started out as a platoon signaller and progressed to Warrant Officer in charge of Communications for the whole battalion. I soon realised that communications and technology was what I was good at". It was on Marks 39th birthday, while stationed in the Czech Republic that he thought to himself: "In twelve months time, I'll be out of a job". So he made a conscious decision to work in Communications.

Shortly afterwards Mark contacted the resettlement advisors who in turn recommended, through several students recommendations, a course with CTTS. So Mark rang the Company's founder ex Army colour sergeant, Martyn Cook. Mark: "I rang Martyn to see what he could provide and he invited me to come and see for myself at any open day he was hosting. I have to say, I was very impressed with the whole set up and what particularly appealed was the fact that Martyn 'spoke my language' and clearly understood my needs. I enrolled on the spot".

Mark decided on a 4-week course entitled 'Careers in Cable' encompassing Digital Cable TV, Cable TV and Telephony and Datacoms Multi and Single Mode. The course also included on site accommodation at its base at Lincoln College. Mark passed with flying colours and was offered a work placement guaranteed by the course.

Mark however had already been in discussions with MK International, part of WorldCom, one of the largest telecom companies in the world.

After an initial interview in London he was invited to Paris for a further interview and was subsequently offered UK Maintenance Manager responsible for maintaining fibre networks throughout the whole of the UK.

Marks current project is expanding a pan European maintenance operation, which involves trailing equipment and vehicles and recruiting Fibre Maintenance Technicians all over Europe.

Mark reflects on his incredible success: "I think back to the regiment and all the horror stories you hear about life after the Forces. But I believe some people aim too low, I set myself a certain target and with CTTS I've achieved more than I could have hoped for. The course is excellent, it has helped me talk knowledgeably to suppliers and contractors and has supplied me with a wealth of information that I am still using in my day-to-day negotiations".