Judges

Can you give us an overview of your career to date?

“From leaving school in 1980 I undertook a mechanical engineering apprenticeship before undertaking a position at T.I Tubes, where I undertook an Electrical NVQ. Throughout the ’90s I worked for a medium-size electrical company on a range of large installations and progressed to Electrical Supervisor and QA before moving into a facilities role for a major hotel and motorway service company. In 2001 I started teaching at Leicester College where I progressed to the Programme Area Manager of the Electrical Department and in 2022 joined Scolmore as Technical Engagement Engineer. I have written published materials for Cengage, Nelson Thorne, Sparks and Voltimum. I am an active member of the Electrical National forum.”

What do you enjoy the most about SkillELECTRIC and your role as a judge?

“I first visited the competition in 2006 where Leicester College won the Regional heat. During this time I was impressed with the scale of the competition and the quality of the candidates work at national level. SkillELECTRIC is set to a very high standard which clearly challenges the individuals.

I am passionate about promoting the electrical industry and value trade competitions which offer enrichment and opportunities for students, the competition create opportunities to learn from industry experts and I see this as a natural progression to use my skills set as the highest level of training and education. Working alongside similar qualified and experience peers provides the ideal opportunity for continuous professional development for myself; development which I can use to enhance the learner experience and help to develop future WorldSkills competitors.

“Since joining Scolmore in 2022 in the Technical Engagement Team we are proud to support the development of all electricians.”

Can you give us an overview of your career to date?

“I am apprentice-trained and have 20 years’ experience in the electrical industry. I have worked and managed residential, commercial, and industrial projects in the public and private sectors. In 2013 I accepted a lecturing post at Coleg Cambria, one of the largest colleges in the UK where I eventually became Curriculum Lead for Building Services.

Moving onto my current role, I joined the NICEIC in 2021 as Technical Training Developer. The NICEIC is the UK’s largest voluntary register of electrical businesses. We certify over 38,000 businesses assessing them to ensure the installation work they undertake meets the required technical and safety standards. In this position I am responsible for the development and review of NICEIC’s industry-leading training.”

What do you enjoy the most about SkillELECTRIC and your role as a judge?

“Having mentored several students through the process, I have witnessed first-hand how competitions can not only help a learner develop technically but also on a personal level. I have seen a student’s journey from competing at a local level through to Team UK and competing on the world stage. SkillELECTRIC provides competitors with experiences and opportunities they would not ordinarily have, and it is amazing to see how a young persons’ career and future can be enhanced by getting involved with SkillELECTRIC. I feel that this insight into the journey makes me well placed to support competitors through the judging process and onto the final.”

Can you give us a career summary to date?

“My Career started with an electrical apprenticeship with Midlands Electricity Board where I was exposed to a vast variety of Electrical work. I then moved into Training and as Head of Training for one of the leading electrical contractors, I enhanced my skills and also was able to pass on my skills to others joining or working in the industry. Working now for NET which looks after the industry end point assessments and develops new assessments for the electrical industry.

My experience covers a wide range of electrical systems and also working on high security sites with unique challenges. I have sat on a wide range of groups looking at qualifications and also sit on the group looking after the current wiring regulations.

At NET I have responsibility for the development of End Point Assessments for the Electrical Industry and monitoring the centres that deliver these assessments.”

What are you most looking forward to about the event?

“For me being involved with SkillELECTRIC allows me to watch candidates develop through the heats and the final and hopefully move on to represent their country at a world class level. It also provides an opportunity to share my industry experiences with the candidates and also those visiting wishing to enter the industry. Hopefully inspiring others to move forward in an industry that provides a wide range of opportunities for all that wish to follow this career path.”