Engineering and Manufacturing Employer Industry Board

Alison is responsible for the management and implementation of resourcing, talent development and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Ensuring Alstom has the right people in the right job at the right time.

Alstom’s ambition is to accompany all transportation stakeholders in meeting tomorrow’s mobility challenges. They strive to provide them with the most efficient and digital mobility systems, while further improving the environmental friendliness of their solutions.

Babak graduated in 1990 with a degree in mechanical engineering and worked for several years as a manufacturing engineer.Babak then moved into the education sector working for various suppliers as well as a consultant on a number of international projects. He then set up Didactic Services Ltd in 2010, official partner of Festo Didactic in the UK and Ireland. Babak is also a governor at UTC Sheffield.

As the Managing Director, Babak is responsible for the day-to-day running of the business, as well as looking after sales for the south of England.

About Didactic

Festo Didactic is part of Festo Automation which is a global supplier of industrial automation systems.

The learning systems cover Pneumatics and Hydraulics, Control Engineering, Mechatronics & Automation, Robotics, PLC’s, Industry 4.0 and Renewable Energy. All systems are offered with comprehensive after sales support and training. 

Festo is also a sponsor of World Skills Mechatronics and Industry 4.0 competitions. Our sector is engineering and technical education. 

At Didactic Services Ltd, we have 5 employees: 2 sales (including Babak), 2 support engineers and an admin person.

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Chris has been engaged with competence assurance throughout his engineering career. From personnel development, assessment and approval for safety critical engineering and airworthiness roles in operational businesses, through to creating and delivering vocational education and training to engineer officers at the Royal Air Force College. Chris also directed the professional registration and competence assurance activities of The Welding Institute and TWI Certification Ltd. Chris has influenced and implemented skill, knowledge and behaviour solutions for individuals and their employers.

Chris contributed to the development of several apprenticeship standards and the Engineering & Manufacturing T Level, and has also delivered European Collaborative Projects for creation of international vocational education and training in engineering and manufacturing. Chris is the Past-President of the European Welding Federation (EWF), and his intraresilience Limited activities have most recently been focused on developing training solutions for safety, quality and technical competence assurance in nuclear new build.

About intraresilience Limited

intraresilience Limited is an independent consultancy business, actively making competence central to leadership, quality and customer service in engineering and manufacturing across the aerospace, energy and defence sectors.

Chris is the consulting Director at intraresilience Limited who delivers client-focused projects to provide competence development, competence acquisition and competence assurance solutions for compliance with regulations, standards and customer requirements

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Gert is the Training and Development Manager in the Siemens Smart Infrastructure Division. His role involves understanding the business needs and requirements, defining relevant training strategies and then ensuring they are implemented, monitored and measured. The role looks at entry level talent ranging from trainees, interns and apprentices to graduates but also looks at developing competences for their engineering staff to meet the needs of today and prepare their staff for the skills of tomorrow.

Gert joined Siemens as a Graduate in 1985 and has enjoyed many varied roles. Gert started at Siemens working in the manufacturing sector within their Digital Industries and Automation businesses and more recently moved into the Smart Infrastructure business working in the building technologies sector, all across a number of demanding markets in the UK.

Gert has extensive experience in areas ranging from technical support, sales support, direct sales, product management, business management, technical management and now training and development in an HR function. He would describe himself as a business aware diplomat, evangelist and organiser but at heart he is an engineer and techie – always keen to be the innovator and early adopter of new technology and looking for opportunities to deploy technology for customers or within the business. Gert is equally passionate about bringing young entry level talent into the business and developing them to be tomorrow’s engineers and at the same time developing relationships with key colleges and universities to explore collaboration opportunities and identify new talent.

About Siemens

Siemens has had a presence in the UK since 1843. The founder, William Siemens, was one of the leading industrialists of the Victorian age, turning his concepts and inventions into practical solutions – many of which were world firsts.

They are passionate about being the digital partner of choice in their industries, creating value in their technology and the data in their installed base for organisations looking to harness the power of the internet of things.

They design and manufacture products and systems ranging from traffic lights, gas turbines and turbine spares to the superconducting magnets used in medical scanners and the drives that are behind many of the UK's manufacturing plants.

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Ian started his career as a Technical Apprentice at a company which made engine components for the Automotive and Aerospace industries. Following completion of his apprenticeship, Ian moved from the technical side of the business into production management and was rapidly promoted.

In 1991 Ian joined Nissan, initially in the manufacturing side but then moved into supplier development and finally into a training role. Ian completed an MSc in Human Resources and is currently in the final stages of a completing a Professional Doctorate with Sunderland University.

Ian is actively involved in promoting education and skills for Nissan at both a regional level and national level. This was recognised in 2018 when he was picked as a top 20 Exemplar in the Manufacturing magazine’s Top 100 list. He’s been involved outside of Nissan with education and school governance for more than 20 years, initially because he wanted to take an active role in his sons’ schooling but the journey continued beyond his son’s own education; Ian is passionate about giving young people the best possible chances and to help schools do this with the work done in the Nissan Skills Foundation.

About Nissan

Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK – Sunderland Plant is the jewel in the crown of Nissan's manufacturing presence in Europe. As one of Britain's largest car production plants of all time, and the fastest car plant in UK automotive history to reach the million mark with one model, the Qashqai, Nissan Sunderland Plant is a record-breaking facility.

Nissan has a rich history of car production in the UK. With 6,000 team members and more than 10 million cars produced since the first Nissan Bluebird rolled off the line in 1986, more than £4bn has been invested in its development, currently building the all-new Nissan Juke, 100% electric LEAF and Qashqai. Nissan is a key employer in the North East and takes an active role in training and developing the next generation of engineering and maintenance professionals.

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James began his career in engineering at Rolls Royce Aero Engines in Glasgow, where after his apprenticeship, he worked in a production capacity on the RB211, Dart and Spey engines.

James then moved into subcontract engineering as a skilled machinist working on precision sliding head lathes and milling machines, producing parts for many leading aerospace companies.
At Westwind Air Bearings, he introduced cellular manufacture, setting up the first cell as a template for other divisions.

After a spell as Production Supervisor and Quality Manager, James took over and developed the company Apprentice Training Centre, leading the company to Grade 1 recognition for engineering training by the Adult Learning Inspectorate.

As Apprenticeship Training Manager at Bournemouth and Poole College, James set up the Dorset Engineering Forum, promoting apprenticeships and training in the Dorset area.

James set up and managed The Superior Seals Academy for apprenticeship training, where they were recognised nationally as an ‘award-winning training centre’.

James then moved into company ownership, being the Managing Director of the VPEG group of engineering companies. He currently runs Wessex Ducting Services, working in many sectors such as the NHS, Engineering, Hospitality and Chemical industries.

James currently sits on the board of the Dorset Engineering Manufacturing Cluster.

About Wessex Ducting

Wessex Ducting Services Ltd have been designing, manufacturing and installing ventilation systems since 1980. Working closely with their customers to provide ventilation and extraction solutions for any building. Design & Build: Wessex Ducting Services Ltd can provide a full design service to meet standards of Approved Document F: ventilation (2010 and 2013). Manufacturing: All ductwork can be manufactured in accordance with DW144 specification onsite within their own factory. Any shape, any size. Quality controlled from drawings to delivery. Installation & Maintenance Ductwork fitters ready to install and commission ventilation and extraction systems. All fitters follow a strict Health and Safety policy, including completing Risk Assessments and Method Statements for every install.

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Jenna has 14 years of experience as an HR professional and has worked within the Construction and Engineering industry for most of this time, gaining extensive experience in all areas of HR in generalist and specialist roles. She has worked for large corporate businesses such as BT and the Adecco Group; at a local college supporting the Engineering and Construction department; and has spent the last 7 years working within the Power Engineering sector. She has a degree in Psychology and holds a Level 7 CIPD qualification which underpins her extensive experience.

She has undertaken several volunteer roles during her career including business mentoring, judging student projects at a local UTC and more recently working with a local Special Educational Needs school as an Enterprise Advisor, supporting the school with the development of their career's strategy. Most recently, she has represented RJ Power Group on the Employer board for the development of the Engineering and Manufacturing T-Levels.

Jenna is the HR & Marketing Manager for all of the RJ Power brands, providing the full range of generalist and HR support to the business, including the management of subcontractors and training. She is responsible for all marketing activity across the group including social media and the RJ Power Group website. Jenna is also the CSR lead for the business.

About RJ Power group

RJ Power Group is a specialist electrical group providing engineering solutions in the power sector. The RJ Power Group consists of a Rail division, a Private Networks division, an Independent Connections Business, a regional North office delivering across all workstreams and a Group Shared service providing a range of support to the other RJ Power brands.

The business consists of an experienced team of engineers, project managers and support staff and a shared senior management team which enables the business to provide engineering solutions that stem across the RJ Power workstreams.

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Joanne is a Learning and Development Manager for National Engineering at Heights specialist. Joanne has been a significant amount of time in FE and was an Engineering Lecturer for 16 years until 2021, with course management of trailblazing  the “Young Apprenticeship” scheme; the MOET standard with one of the first EPA. She also managed number 2 ATO of Apprenticeships in East Midlands (after Rolls Royce). And managed T level pilot in 2019 with 80% job conversion.

Joanne Manages the Learning and Development needs of all employees from entry level Apprentices to Master of Engineering. Building Skills Sets and Training Matrix ensuring technical competence and delivering bespoke training for staff on British Standards, and incorporating guidance and ACOPS into training delivery.

About Zarafa Group

Zarafa is a medium sized private limited company, with over 40 years experience in engineering, installation and inspection of facade access and height safety solutions.

Karima has worked in the world of recruitment, training and apprenticeships for over 20 years and has extensive experience of the retail, hospitality, aviation, logistics and construction sector. In the last 15 years, Karima has worked on Employability and Apprenticeship programmes implementing several change programmes to enable businesses to lead the way on employment and skills.

Karima has a passion to deliver business benefits through people, allowing everyone, regardless of background, the opportunity of employment and career development.  Karima has experience of working with government contracts and securing access funding.  Working at strategic level and engaging key stakeholders in a collaborative way and working in large-scale projects, such as Heathrow Terminal 5, Terminal 2, and the third runway.

More recently Karima led the development of a Skills Strategy for Thames Water to deliver its ambition and ensure that he business has a diverse and inclusive pipeline of skills required for today and the future. This agenda ensures benefits of growth influence communities and colleagues across the business. Karima leads a team focussed on driving change within the provision of education, employment and skills across all boroughs, forming strategic partnerships and collaborative approaches with stakeholders including education, community, supply chain and skill providers.

Karima aims to make a real change on socio-economic diversity, social inclusion, in-work poverty, by creating partnerships and collaborations that will create a fair society for all, drive economic prosperity, support social value and positively impacts social mobility.

About Thames water

Thames Water is the UK’s biggest water and wastewater services provider. Our key workers provide essential services around the clock to 15 million customers across London, the Thames Valley and surrounding areas.

For an average of just over £1 a day for our households, we provide 2.7 billion litres of drinking water and safely remove 4.4 billion litres of wastewater every day.

We invested more than £1 billion again in 2019/20, leading to a total of £15 billion in the past 15 years, and we will continue to spend wisely on improving resilience, service and efficiency, as well as provide more support for customers in vulnerable circumstances.

We also have additional responsibilities to society and the natural environment. What we do and how we do it delivers significant public value, which is why we have ambitious plans to self-generate more of our own power, reduce our carbon emissions and increase biodiversity across our sites.

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Sameer graduated in 2002 with a Degree in Engineering from De Montfort University and has since  worked in various industries spanning from Bankingto Pharmaceuticals,  and for the past 11 years supplying Learning Systems into the Educational sector.

As the Associate Director, Sammer is responsible for providing solutions to institutes in the midlands, north England, and Scotland.

About Didactic

Festo Didactic is part of Festo Automation which is a global supplier of industrial automation systems.

The learning systems cover Pneumatics and Hydraulics, Control Engineering, Mechatronics & Automation, Robotics, PLC’s, Industry 4.0 and Renewable Energy. All systems are offered with comprehensive after sales support and training.

Festo is also a sponsor of World Skills Mechatronics and Industry 4.0 competitions. Our sector is engineering and technical education.

At Didactic Services Ltd, we have 5 employees: 2 sales (including Sameer), 2 support engineers and an admin person. 

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Steve has spent the last 44 years working in the retail motor trade, starting as an apprentice technician, where he was qualified via City & Guilds. He progressed throughService Reception and Workshop Control roles to aftersales Manager by the time he was 22. From then, Steve expanded his experience into car sales for two years.

A change of direction came for Steve when he moved into apprentice training and placement, which he stayed in for just under 8 years, the last few being as Training Manager.

In 1993, Steve set up his own business, Ingenia Resources and Recruitment. Ingenia also have a website called NEMTA (North East Motor Trade Apprenticeships), which is an information site for school leavers.

Steve has created training programmes, placing young people and fully experienced tradespersons into jobs and in addition to all of that he is also an Enterprise Advisor for a local school.

About Ingenia

Ingenia are specialist recruitment consultants to the motor industry in the North East of England. We are classed as a micro business.

As director of the business, Steve has the responsibility for all decisions and manages the day to day running of the business.

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Warren is the Manager of Xtrac’s Apprenticeship scheme and is the Technical Team leader in Xtrac’s Gearcutting department.

Warren started his career in 1973 within the Engineering sector as an Apprentice specialising in the manufacture of all types of gears and transmissions having served in a variety of companies, both large employers and SME’s working on Machine tool, Marine, Aerospace, Automotive and Motorsport projects.

He then went onto join Xtrac Limited, Motorsport Transmission specialists, in 1990, working on Gear manufacture and has worked with their apprentices from 2000 having set up Xtrac’s current award-winning apprenticeship scheme in 2003. Xtrac were winners for the Princess Royal Training Awards in 2018.

“My role as Apprentice manager is to design and oversee the implication and running of Xtrac Apprenticeships mainly in Engineering and Manufacturing. I am responsible for the training and learning of Apprentices and their welfare, design of the Apprentice training programmes, working with providers and IQA.”

Warren is a qualified Assessor and Verifier and has a full understanding on how apprenticeship’s work. He is a consultant to City & Guilds and  a member of the City & Guilds Industry Skills Board, Quality Standards Committee and Employer Industry Board.

About XTRAC

Established in 1984, Xtrac has become recognised as the worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of transmission systems supporting a wide client base covering top level Motorsport and High Performance Automotive.

A privately owned company with a passion for winning and dedicated to continuous improvement, which is supported by personal development plans for key staff members, a well-funded capital expenditure programme and a dedicated focus on Health and Safety for all staff.

Winning the world’s premier motorsport events and operating in high technology and fast-moving markets, demands a supplier who can deliver a competitive advantage. Since the founding of the company, Xtrac has ensured that customers from all sectors can meet, or even exceed, their objectives by drawing on our unique blend of design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities

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