Have you ever wondered what the industry's influential figures have on their desks? From a shiny apprentice trophy to skills strategy documents, you can tell a lot about a person by their desk.
Born and raised in “rural country” Yorkshire, Denis spent his childhood farming and was “very much connected to the land”. With a large industrial sector thriving in Yorkshire, Denis eventually decided to join British Coal as an engineering apprentice. Here he completed a Management Training Scheme and gained an Honours Degree in Engineering. After working as a practicing engineer for a number of years within British Coal, Denis was appointed Group Head of Training at the Corporate HQ. His new role involved “rationalising and re-organising education and training for the future”. British Coal had its own colleges, training centres and bespoke degrees at the time and Denis recruited graduates from around the country as well as setting up graduate programs overseas.
“I could not have had any better training in an industry so vast,” said Denis. “That foundation has made my life relatively straightforward.”
At age forty, Denis was faced with a “what do I do from here?” moment, where he then took on the role of Director of Training at the Confederation of British Wool Textiles. This role involved developing education and training requirements for members along with developing occupational standards, qualifications and learning frameworks for the industry. From here Denis then joined the Capitb Group as Managing Director. This role involved three elements – Clothing and Apparel goods Industry Training Organisation (ITO), Animal Care and Equine (ITO) and the National Skillscentre based in Wakefield which included Motor Vehicle, Mobile Plant, Electrical (including an AM2 centre) Plumbing and Gas (including an ACS centre) and Engineering Maintenance etc. Denis was then offered the position of Chief Executive of National Electrotechnical Training in January 2000, shortly afterwards he joined the board of JTL as a trustee representing the interests of the electrotechnical industry.
In March 2004 Denis was appointed Chief Executive of JTL and grew the numbers of advanced apprentices from 7,000 to over 11,000 in just four years. Since Denis’ arrival at JTL, he has expanded the organisation from purely electrical into building services, including electrical, plumbing, gas, heating and ventilating, engineering maintenance and other ancillary trades. To date, JTL has helped over 50,000 people become qualified.
Denis is passionate about his role within JTL. Along with opening up opportunities for young people he has been involved with helping those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Denis believes apprenticeships through JTL are helping employers become better businesses. “That’s what keeps me ticking,” said Denis. “Because someone over forty years ago gave me that opportunity. That’s why I am here today.”
1. Certificate of Recognition: JTL has achieved the “Investors in People” standard. This leading people management standard provides a flexible framework that helps organisations improve their business performance.
2. Trophy: This yet-to-be-engraved trophy will be given to the National Winner at this year’s JTL Apprentice Awards, held at the Tower of London on March 2nd. Denis himself received a similar trophy in 1973, when he was named National Apprentice of the Year!
3. National Apprentice Winner Photo: Denis keeps photos of JTL Apprentice Award National Winners, which reminds him of the importance of apprenticeships and creating opportunities for young people. This photo is of previous winner James Boyle and Denis at the awards ceremony.
4. Tooled Up: This bi-annual magazine is dedicated to JTL apprentices. Here they can read up on the key news stories and information relevant to their apprenticeships and industry.
5. Training Circuit: This quarterly publication is for JTL apprentice employers, offering them an overview of the industry, apprenticeships and regional contacts.
6. JTL Website: Found at www.jtltraining.com, here young people, employers, parents and career advisors can find tailored information about JTL’s training and apprenticeships.
7. Photo of Granddaughter: This photograph is of Denis’ five-month-old granddaughter, Ayda. “She is going to make me a happy man all my life,” said Denis dotingly.
8. Photo of Daughter: This school photograph was taken of Denis’ daughter Victoria when she was fifteen. She is now thirty and Ayda (above) is her daughter. Denis is Victoria’s DIY man, frequenting B&Q to build a nursery for Ayda.
9. Wireless Device: The little piece of technology is given to training officers. It is used for assessment and takes away the “brunt of the paperwork”. This IT innovation saves lots of precious time, as users can input information to JTL’s central office straight away.
10. Ink Pen: This pen carries with it plenty of meaning for Denis. It was given to him as a gift from his engineering foreman uncle in 1973, when Denis won the Apprentice of the Year Award. “Thirty-eight years and still going strong,” said Denis about his trusty pen.
11. UKAS Accreditation Certificate: JTL recently gained this CompEx certification and accreditation to qualify electrotechnical craftspersons for potentially hazardous or explosive atmospheres.
12. BIS Strategy Document: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) published this document, which discusses “investing in skills for sustainable growth”. JTL sent in a consultation paper to the BIS. This document lists the government’s priorities and funding.
13. BIS Strategy Key Points: This document is a summary of the key points stated in the BIS Strategy Document (above).
14. & 15. Survey of Employers 2010 & Survey of Apprentices 2010: Every year JTL surveys employers and apprentices on the delivery of their services. Said Denis: “Being truthful allows us to move forward into the future.”