From working on gas installations to gardening while unabashedly listening to Enrique Iglesias, Bob Blake is now giving industry employers opportunities to influence the sector’s skills and training. His cuppa: Fair-trade coffee, black, no sugar.
Bob started his career in the building service industry working as an apprentice gas fitter and quickly moved towards operations management. Eventually landing the position of Emergency Services Manager for Transco (which later merged with National Grid), Bob made sure resources met demands, liaised with authorities and investigated emergencies. “I got up every day and thoroughly loved it,” said Bob. “But eventually I decided I would move on to try new things.” Bob then went on to become a consultant, but found it an incredibly lonely experience missing the constant contact with people.
Bob then jumped at the opportunity to work as an Operations Manager for SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the building services engineering sector.
Said Bob: “It’s about facilitating, engaging and influencing government and making sure investments, focus, visions and strategies – where they impact on skill in the building service industry – is at the forefront getting what it needs.”
The Sector Skills Agreement (SSA) is the official and ever-changing deal between employers training providers and the government. The SSA has employers specify their workforce and skills requirements and has government and providers agree to fund and deliver tailored training. The SSA is currently in the final stage of its five stage process and SummitSkills has been brought on to facilitate the agreement.
Bob often meets with employers to uncover helpful feedback about what skills and training are needed in the industry. He also regularly attends trade association events and visits professional bodies and colleges - connecting them to employers and their needs. Through SummitSkills, employers now have a direct route to influence strategic planning for skills and training.
Despite being a very busy man, Bob is “terribly well-organized” and even tidies up for his house cleaner. He is also a huge fan of The Godfather, often “watching all three in a row”. Along with Pacino, Bob is a fan of listening to all types of music and even laughs about listening to Enrique Inglesias.
In his spare time, Bob enjoys relaxing holidays and tends to a beautiful garden at his house in Reigate - of which he shares with his partner Carmel - and enjoys keeping fit through jogging.
With an extended family of seven, two weddings and two trips to Australia in the last eighteen months, there is never a dull or spare moment in “Bob’s world” - just the occasional cuppa coffee break.
| Source: Francoise Snobel - Voltimum |
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