Lee Burton

What led you to work for PETA?

I have spent a large portion of my adult life within public service, my background has seen me serve across the globe in the Armed Forces and then operating in various teams including specialist roles within the Police. I have since worked within Health and Safety in both training and advisory roles, specialising in hazardous environments.

In a previous training role, I was involved with some training on behalf of PETA Ltd, and was impressed with the set up and the company ethos, so I have always kept an eye out for a suitable vacancy to apply for.

What is your role at PETA and what drives you to do what you do?

I am employed as a Health and Safety Trainer/Advisor. I enjoy proactive communication and interaction with those working in their roles, to encourage a pragmatic but safe approach to working, eliminating the stereotype of a clipboard yielding Health and Safety department, to work with teams and not against them. My goal is for everyone to go home, safe each day.

In the classroom my objective is to make sure that a delegate is satisfied, whether it is their first time on a subject or they have sat multiple refresher sessions for a course, I want them to go away satisfied and taking something away with them, even just a little something new. These are not just a ‘tick box exercise’.

I also believe in relevance, it is easier to associate the classroom subject when you can associate it with the environment in which you work or live.

What knowledge/experience do you draw upon for your role?

I have the advantage of working, both in training roles and operationally, from delivering confined space training to running live confined space rescue teams, advisor roles covering induction, investigations and inspections within various industries, from utilities, facilities and services. This has helped me form positive bonds with teams to encourage a safe working culture, problem solve and generally get a job done.

I have undertaken various qualifications to support my roles, both operationally and training, and whatever subject I am delivering, you know I have been sat on the other side of the desk, whether it is one of the NEBOSH qualifications or another course from our extensive catalogue.

I am very much not a ‘I don’t know how to do your job, but my book says you are doing it wrong’ person. I am a positive problem solver, who strives to deliver the best training I can, and also constantly looking to improve my knowledge base.

I have also been on the receiving end of poor-quality courses and strive to not be the offender in this scenario.

How do you approach your role on a day-to-day basis? What skills are required?

Communication is the foundation block for anything. Being able to listen is as strong a skill as any, we have two ears so in theory we should listen twice as much as we speak. Being able to understand the needs of the client or delegate, identify areas of need or work towards problem solving. Making sure what is being received by others is the same as I was transmitting, making sure everything is understood and checking the knowledge to ensure information is passed.

Patience, empathy and understanding. Treat everyone individually and identify how they will best absorb the subject matter.

What's your teaching style?

Whether I am delivering training or playing quiz master for a charity fundraiser, I believe in engagement with the room, both between the trainer and the delegate and in return, from the delegates. Everyone has vital experiences they can share, passing on golden nuggets to help others.

I am an active tutor, often escaping the confines of desks or lecterns to ensure interaction with the class and encourage the best from each delegate.

What are you passionate about outside of work?

I like to be outside, out enjoying the weather and being away from screens. We have a working cocker spaniel who keeps us busy with his search training, he can find people, pets and items and is a good excuse to be out an about.

I am often found fundraising for various good causes, whether I am writing and running a quiz or climbing a mountain.

My less active roles can often see me quietly sat reading or building models.

What are your personal values, and what is important to you?

My most hated phrase is ‘but we have always done it that way’.

Treat everyone as you wish to be treated.

Do not dismiss anyone’s ideas, they may have a point or at least a useful nugget!