Chris Blades

I am a committed and motivated individual with a positive work ethic able to work in an unsupervised environment. I enjoy working on my own initiative and as part of a team and see myself as a reliable, trustworthy and hardworking person who will always make the effort to go above and beyond in any job role. I am a strong communicator; a quick learner and I am eager to become involved in a fast moving challenging role where there is opportunity for me to demonstrate my skills and experience and a chance to progress further.

Regional Planning Lead. Midlands area. at City Fibre (2023-05 – Present)

My current roles is as per below but managing 3 x Planners on various workstreams whilst still completing everyday planning duties as per below.

• Completing Mid year and end of year reviews for my team
• Delegating work to the planners
• Managing various workstreams
• First Aid trained

FFN Planner at City Fibre (2020-03 – 2023-05)

• Core Migrations
• FIC/6PCs
• Quality control checking Outsourced designs
• FFN fibre requests
• CWDM and SFW
• Supporting other planners on a daily basis
• Providing GIS training
• Supporting other regions on different networks
• FTTP
• PIA Accredited
• Diversionary works
• First Aid trained

Network Expansion Planner at Virgin Media (2019-04 – 2020-03)

• FTTP
• PIA Accredited
• Diversionary works
• Surveying, customer sites and the VM Network
• CWDM and SFW
• Supporting other regions on different networks, NTL & Telewest
• Fire Marshall and First Aid trained

Access/Fibre Planner at Virgin Media Business (2014-08 – 2019-04)

My previous job role was as an Access Planner within Virgin Media Business. In this role I gained a lot of knowledge of the VM fibre network and gained a lot of software skills such as GIS systems and MS programs used to create designs. I have been the lead planner on multiple large scale projects for clients such as British transport Police, Lancs Care NHS & Liverpool City Council.

A large part of my role is also planning the installation of equipment in customer sites and headends and managing job finances.

• Surveying, customer sites and the VM Network
• Planning access circuit solutions for new and existing business customers
• CWDM and SFW
• Supporting other planners on a daily basis
• Providing GIS training
• Supporting other regions on different networks, NTL & Telewest
• Fire Marshall and First Aid trained

Network Surveyor, North West and Yorkshire at Kelly communications LTD (2014-02 – 2014-08)

As part of the Virgin Media contract I am responsible for surveying pre and existing fibre optic installations and diversionary works for the planning department.

• Planning routes and diversions on the Virgin media network to the required customer premises, internally and externally
• Providing the planners with the relevant information required to assist in completing new and ongoing job packs. For example: Routes and distances of any required civils works and cabling; and provide detailed photographs of the work required with detailed work point references
• Auditing DN's, ODF's and fibre joints
• Checking that the customers meet the relevant H&S standards required for our installation teams
• Use of Microsoft packages such as Outlook and Excel
• Working from GIS drawings provided by the planner
• Working closely with the customers to ensure everything possible is done correctly, 1st time in a safe and practicable manner

Telecommunications Engineer at Fujitsu (2013-01 – 2014-02)

Working on the Virgin Media contract installing phone lines, Broadband and TV.

• Pulling cable from Rg6, Rg11, 8F-244F, 5pr up to 200pr and coax up to 860
• Installing analogue phone lines, broadband and Virgin Media Set-top boxes
• IPAFF
• CSCS
• Running internal and external fibres
• NASWRA
• Confined space and rescue
• Asbestos awareness
• Fault finding
• Audits
• Fork Lift Truck License

Telecommunications Engineer at FKS (2012 – 2013)

Role responsibilities same as above. TUPE to Fujitsu.

Telecommunications Engineer at Douglas Communications (2004 – 2012)

Role responsibilities same as above. TUPE to FKS.

Welder at Tip Truck UK Ltd (2002 – 2004)

• General sheet metal and welding work
• Building and fabrication of tipper bodies
• Installing wire looms and tipper mechanisms
• Reading and working from technical drawings

Welder at All Gates and Railings (2000 – 2002)

Fabrication, welding and installation of bespoke iron gates and railings.

NVQ L2 in Domestic Heating & Plumbing – Bolton College (2010 – 2012)

GCSE – Hayward School (1995 – 2000)