When Jack Tunstead joined OCS in 2018 as a part-time team member supporting people with reduced mobility (PRM) at Dublin Airport, he thought it would be a short-term job while studying for his business management degree. He never expected that a few years later, he’d be shaping a career in QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety, Environment) and building a future with OCS.
“I started at 18,” Jack explains. “At the time, it was just a good opportunity while I was in college. But the more I worked, the more I realised how much was happening around me. Every day was different. You’d help someone heading on a holiday, someone going for surgery, or even teams travelling to the Paralympics. Everyone had a story.”
When the pandemic hit, Jack, like many others, was placed on furlough. But once the airport reopened in mid-2021, he returned, this time with a degree in hand and no clear post-graduation plan. “I wasn’t sure what was next, so I took a chance and came back full-time. That decision changed everything.”
Not long after returning, Jack moved into a training role within the aviation team, delivering induction and operational training for colleagues in Dublin, Belfast, and Cork. “It was a big shift,” he says. “But I had airport experience and knew the environment well. I was motivated to do something bigger, and OCS gave me the opportunity.”
His next step came when QHSE took over the training function. With a long-standing interest in occupational health and safety, Jack put himself forward for a new challenge. Today, he’s transitioning fully into the role of QHSE Advisor for OCS Ireland, building on IOSH (The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health), NEBOSH (The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health), and ISO (The International Organisation for Standardisation) certifications and gaining valuable on-site experience across contracts.
“It’s been great to expand beyond aviation,” Jack says. “I’m working with cleaning, FM, and security teams, seeing the business as a whole and learning so much. It’s also rewarding to see how the TRUE Values show up on every site.”
Support from his colleagues has played a major role in Jack’s journey. “Jonathan, one of my QHSE colleagues, also came from the airport, so we had that shared understanding. And Kevin, my manager, has been in the business for years and brings a wealth of health and safety knowledge. Their guidance has been key.”
When asked what he’s most proud of, Jack doesn’t hesitate: “My journey. I didn’t plan it. But when I came back in 2021 and said yes to that first opportunity, everything started to build. I’ve learned to take chances.”
His advice for anyone starting at OCS? “Enjoy your role, stay focused, and the opportunities will come. The company is great at recognising potential. I’ve seen so many colleagues progress. Team members I trained are now supervisors and managers. There’s a real pathway here.”
Looking ahead, Jack hopes to grow further in QHSE, earn additional certifications, and eventually step into a more senior advisory role. “There’s always more to learn in this space. Health and safety never stands still.”
