What does being a JTL training officer involve? Ian Russell gives a low-down on what it really means to be at the forefront of training the industry's future electricians with an insight into a typical working day.

A typical day for me starts at around 8 am. My office is based at home, so the first things I normally do after getting up are to check my post and e-mails and deal with any immediate issues that have arisen since the previous day. I also check that I've got enough of the documents that are used as part of the apprentices' training and set about planning the necessary reviews.

After dealing with my office-based work, including the writing and sending out of any correspondence, I 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 days ahead at the start of each week as organisation is key. Also, I often need to fit in with 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, then speak 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 and their apprentices at the moment. The actual objectives of the visits are to review and carry out on-site assessments, check through the apprentice's portfolio work and 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 it might mean arranging some one-to-one work with them. I probably hold about one portfolio workshop each month. This usually involves working through the apprentices' logbooks and making sure they are meeting all their performance objectives, plus giving them advice on their portfolio evidence.

I make at least four formal visits to each apprentice every 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 co-ordinators, who manage our relationships with the colleges, I always make sure that I carry out at least one review at college. This gives me a first-hand insight into how they're progressing and I make sure they're getting the right level of training.

Working with the employer is 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 the needs of both the apprentice and employer. Getting it right can mean good business benefits come into fruition early on in the apprenticeship and working closely ensures this is the case.

A lot of the apprentices' on-site assessments are carried out on high profile projects such as the Houses of Parliament, the Bank of England and Heathrow Terminal 5 to name just a few.

No day is ever really the same and my work is always varied. Part of my role is to ensure a level of pastoral care to the apprentices. This means making sure that if they have any personal issues we provide them with the support needed to get through it with as little disruption and detriment to both them and their apprenticeship.

In addition to my work with the apprentices and employers, I am an internal verifier for JTL. This means that I am responsible for verifying the apprentices' portfolios and ensuring that they meet the necessary requirements in order to obtain their NVQ Level 3 qualification.

This role also means that I have to go on site to assess other JTL training officers and check that the work they do and the assessments that they are carrying out on their apprentices are meeting the requirements of the awarding body.

Once I have carried out the assessment I then have to provide constructive feedback to the training officer and complete a report on the assessment undertaken, which is then submitted to the chief internal verifier.

Prior to becoming a verifier I had to be a qualified NVQ assessor. I then went on to complete an internal verifier's qualification. This ensures that I have the right skills and knowledge to be able to carry out the role effectively and accurately, which is key to the overall standard and success of each apprentice's completion of their NVQ and subsequently their Advanced Apprenticeship.

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. Over this time I see them change and develop into competent and qualified electricians, but also maturing into adulthood.

The role of the training officer

With backing from the industry and government, apprenticeship training is the main viable route to becoming a fully qualified electrician. Advanced Apprenticeships are fully comprehensive and ensure that trainees receive the right amount of practical, on-site experience, while working towards a nationally recognised NVQ Level 3 qualification.

Employers who think that recruiting an apprentice means spending all their time monitoring their development are mistaken. The Advanced Apprenticeship comes with the full support of a dedicated training officer, who looks after both the employer and the apprentice throughout the training programme.

Training officers must be fully technically qualified with all the relevant and up-to-date qualifications and are at the heart of apprenticeship training.

A career in the making

Ian completed a four-year apprenticeship with the London Electricity Board in 1971.

Following his apprenticeship he worked his way through the ranks at the electricity board, taking up positions as an electrician, foreman and finally as an electrical buyer. He spent a total of 25 years working with the London Electricity Board before beginning work as a self-employed electrician.

He went on to become an electrical instructor at the Croydon Training Centre and joined JTL in 1999. He has been a key member of the company’s London team ever since.

Having been promoted from a training officer to an internal verifier/training officer, with a caseload of approximately 30 apprentices, Ian’s day is varied. He spends about 60% of his time travelling around meeting with the apprentices and employers for which he is responsible.

The rest of the time he generally spends carrying out his role as a JTL internal verifier role and completing any associated paperwork.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor