JTL - Delivering Skills For Business

For an understanding of what a Training Officer will do for your business and your apprentice, read about the day in the life of Ian Russell, an electrical Training Officer with JTL.

"A typical day for me starts at around 8am. After dealing with my office based work, including the writing up and sending out of any correspondence, I then get on with the main day-to-day stuff of checking the progress of my apprentices and going out visiting them.  I actually plan my week ahead at the start of each week as organisation is key - also, I often need to fit in to other peoples' diaries, so it helps to allow enough time to do so.  When setting up a visit to an apprentice I liaise with the employer's office first to find out where the apprentice is and then with the relevant site foreman to make sure it's a convenient time.

"On an average day, I might have up to three apprentices to visit at various locations in and around London.  I work solely with Gratte Brothers and J Brand Ltd and their apprentices. The actual objectives of the visits do vary, but in many instances I'm there to assess their portfolio work and to make sure they're on track with everything.  If they are falling behind it is my job to find out why and to help them get back on top of it all.  This might involve setting up a group portfolio workshop for them to attend, along with others who also need the extra assistance, or might mean arranging some one-to-one work with them.  I probably hold about one portfolio workshop each month and this usually involves working through their logbooks and making sure they are meeting all their performance objectives; giving them advice on their portfolio evidence.

"I make at least four formal visits to the apprentice each year to carry out on site assessments - it's vital that we capture as much on site evidence as possible as this is key to them successfully completing their NVQ Level 3 and subsequently, qualifying as an electrician. Although we employ Regional Training Centre Coordinators, who manage our relationships with the colleges, I always make sure I carry out at least one review at college.  This gives me first hand insight into how they're getting on and I make sure they're getting the right level of teaching.

"Working with the employer is also a key part of what I do and I meet with them about once a month. They play a vital role in the development of their apprentices and it is important to harness good relationships with them to ensure that the training is meeting both the needs of the apprentice and the employer. Getting it right can mean good business benefits that come into fruition early on into the apprenticeship and working closely together ensures this is the case.

"A lot of the work that Gratte Brothers and J Brand Ltd carry out is on quite high profile projects and I've carried out on site assessments at the Houses of Parliament; the Bank of England and Terminal 5 to name just a select few.  No day is ever really the same and my work is always varied.  My job is especially rewarding because I work closely with our apprentices from the start to the completion of their apprenticeship, over a four year period, and over this time see them change and develop into not only competent and qualified electricians, but also maturing into adulthood.  Part of my role is to ensure a level of pastoral care to them and this means making sure that if they have any personal issues that we provide them with the support needed to get through it and with as little disruption and detriment to both them and their apprenticeship."

ABOUT IAN:
Ian completed a four year apprenticeship with the London Electricity Board.  Following his apprenticeship, going through the ranks from an electrician to a foreman and then as an electrical buyer, Ian spent a total of 25 years working with the London Electricity Board before working as a self-employed electrician.  He then went on to become an electrical instructor at the Croydon Training Centre and went on to join JTL in 1999 and has been a key member of the company's London team ever since.  He now looks after approximately 30 apprentices.