How old are you and what is your job title?
I am 33 and a training manager.
What’s your company’s main business and where are you based?
Nifco UK produces plastics components for the automotive industry, we are based in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham.
What does your job involve?
I am responsible for training & development and health & safety at Nifco. I also assist in implementing business excellence which I thoroughly enjoy.
How many courses/events do you organise during a quarter?
On average, I organise approximately 15 courses every three months ranging from management development to health and safety.
Describe a typical working day.
One of the beauties of my current job is that each day is different.
What training are you working on now?
We are doing a lot of work with managers and team leaders on management and business qualifications to improve the depth of knowledge we have in these areas across the business.
How did you get into training?
I worked as a computer numerical control operator at a large manufacturing company. The position of training officer was advertised internally and the production manager approached me and recommended that I apply as I had the right skills for the position.
Describe an achievement you’re proud of?
In 2005, I won the Enterprise in Study and Business award from Sunderland University and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Tees Valley HR Best Practice award.
What’s the best or most memorable training event you’ve attended?
The Mindstore course run by Jack Black was very enlightening because it focused on your mind and the amazing effect it can have on your career and life. It gave me some wonderful techniques that I follow every day, both at work and elsewhere.
And the worst
The information technology part of my CIPD qualification: the lecturer just read word for word without any deviation from the handouts.
What’s key to putting on a successful course?
There are so many variables, but the two I feel are most critical are: creating a climate that is conducive to learning; and a course that meets the needs of the business objective that the training was identified to fulfil.
How do you measure the impact of training?
It varies depending on the initial need the training was identified for, such as increased productivity or reduced health and safety concerns.
When you were a boy what did you want to be?
Like a lot of young boys, I wanted to be a professional footballer and always imagined myself scoring the winning goal for Liverpool in front of the Kop.
What is your biggest bugbear?
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People with a ‘can’t do’ attitude who just accept situations really annoy me. They should learn to get up and have a go at achieving things instead of moaning. Unfortunately, industry and society is littered with these people.
Warren Broadbent is training manager, Nifco UK
