Cristian joined La Línea Vertical looking for a career change. He had always been drawn to the world of work at height. He decided to take the plunge, invest his savings in the course and see how far he could go. Today he works for the company, combining the roles of health and safety officer and site supervisor.
This is his story.
An education that opened doors
Cristian wasn’t starting from scratch. During his work placement for his Master’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, he’d had his first taste of the industrial environment: carrying out risk assessments and measurements at petrochemical industry. But it was only when he threw himself wholeheartedly into La Línea Vertical that he realised the scale of what he’d chosen.
During the course, the trainer, David Rondón, noticed his commitment and suggested he take part in the company’s internship programme at the time. Cristian didn’t see it as anything special: “Everyone on my course was committed and a good student. Perhaps I was just lucky, and they saw potential in me because of my motivation and eagerness to work for the company and in the sector”.
The first step within La Línea Vertical
When he was offered the trial month, Cristian felt that something was starting to take shape: “A door was opening for me to a new job opportunity, new learning experiences and personal projects”. The confirmation came when he was told that he had passed the work experience placement and that they would be counting on him for future projects.
Learning from the team from day one
What surprised him most when he joined was the warm welcome he received. His colleagues went out of their way to help him right from the start, answering every query with patience and technical expertise during those first few weeks when the questions just kept coming.
“What surprised me most was how well my colleagues treated me, showing great patience and a real passion for teaching. Everyone around me had something to teach me”.
From the technical side to the office: a more comprehensive view of prevention
His role combines technical and organisational aspects, which he finds particularly valuable. As he explains, staying in touch with the work on the ground gives him “a broader and more realistic view of occupational health and safety”, something that is hard to gain from an office.
Advice for beginners
There’s no set formula. Everyone arrives with their own story and circumstances, and the path that worked for him isn’t necessarily the right one for anyone else. But he is clear about what he would say to someone starting on their first day:
“Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability and learn from those around you. Every colleague has something to offer: from the most experienced Level 3 staff to a newly joined Level 1. Everyone has something to contribute; it’s up to you what you choose to take on board”.
Looking to the future whilst continuing to learn
Since joining La Línea Vertical, his career has been a mix of demanding periods, spent away from his family, and phases of personal growth that he wouldn’t change for anything. Looking ahead, he has two clear goals: to settle down close to his loved ones and to continue developing his skills in all aspects of work at height.
And there’s one goal that’s always on his mind: joining the teaching staff. Although he says this with the same honesty that has characterised him from the start: he still has a way to go. “The aim is to keep learning and to draw inspiration from each of my colleagues and departments”.
His is the story of someone who came looking for a change and found much more: a career, a team and an industry in which he intends to stay.
Are you interested in training in work at height? Find out about our courses at www.formal.es.
