"It is important to me that people realise I always do my best and give my all to help those around me."
What led you to work for PETA?
When I was growing up, I wanted to be an accountant, but when I was about 11 I got my first PC and I was hooked, I loved everything about it. I started reading online and learning all I could about computers and how they worked. At 15, I started working in an IT repair shop and this continued throughout college where I also studied Computing and ICT; I was always helping people with their computers and building machines and really enjoyed that aspect. I was put on an 8-week course but completed it in less than 2 weeks and because of this I was offered employment and was put through my trainer assessor qualifications.
I had heard of PETA as the gold standard of apprenticeship providers and applied for a position as a trainer assessor, unfortunately on that first occasion I was unsuccessful, however a few years later with more experience under my belt I applied again, and this time got the call to say I had been successful, and I've not looked back but boy those 9 years have flown by.
What is your role at PETA and what drives you to do what you do?
I am now the IT training manager in charge of the apprenticeship and commercial IT training at PETA, however I was a trainer assessor when I first joined the organisation. As manager I still maintain a small cohort of learners, and what drives me, it has to be the success of the apprentices and celebrating their achievements with them, helping them to succeed especially when they are doubting themselves, watching their careers advance then getting a little message like I got the other day saying "Thank you I just got head hunted for x company and it wouldn't have happened without you."
There truly is no better professional experience and the sense of pride I feel keeps me motivated to come into work each day and do my best to help each person to be the best they can be.
What knowledge and experience do you draw upon for your role?
With a well-rounded background in IT from my studies at college, my work experience and qualifications, it all helps to put me in a good position to help and support the growth of the next generation of talent supporting the apprentices, the commercial delegates, members of my team and the employers we work with to give them the best experience possible.
How do you approach your role on a day-to-day basis? What skills are required?
An IT training manager would typically approach my role on a daily basis by liaising with clients to develop and implement training programmes for their employees on various IT topics. The skills required for this role would include strong communication skills to effectively explain complex technical information to non-technical individuals and strong organisational skills to plan and schedule training sessions.
What are you passionate about outside of work?
I am very fortunate to have a loving and caring partner and four beautiful, smart and unique children, three girls and one son. They certainly keep me busy; I enjoy going to the football with my son and taking my girls out horse riding. Outside of my family I love debates and have a real passion for politics and discussion around world events, listening and learning from others' views and opinions is extremely insightful. I also enjoy going for long walks and weekends away looking at different cultures and the architecture of the world.
What are your personal values, and what is important to you?
I am an honest and hard-working person, it is important to me that people realise I always do my best and give my all to help those around me. I may not always have the answers, but I will always help to come up with a way forward that could work. I will always remember my Dad saying to me "treat others how you wish to be treated and always help where you can, as you never know when you'll be the one needing help."