What does your role involve?
As an Assessor of Laboratory Technicians and Science Manufacturing Process Operatives, I evaluate and support apprentices in their workplaces, ensuring they meet the required standards and competencies for their apprenticeship or qualification.
As an Assessor of Laboratory Technicians and Science Manufacturing Process Operatives, I evaluate and support apprentices in their workplaces, ensuring they meet the required standards and competencies for their apprenticeship or qualification.
What did you do before you joined Cogent Skills?
I began my career as an apprentice Laboratory Technician, before the transition to the current apprenticeship standards. This helps me connect with the apprentices I now assess, giving me a clear understanding of the challenges they face. My professional background includes working as a chemist in the aerospace industry, which provides services to a range of highly regulated, safety-critical sectors. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, I decided to work closer to home, taking on the role of Laboratory Manager/Senior Science Technician at a local school
In 2022, I joined Cogent Skills as an Assessor. From the time I was an apprentice, becoming an apprenticeship assessor has been my dream job. I am deeply passionate about apprenticeships, and I feel incredibly fortunate to now be in a role where I can pursue what I love every day. It is so rewarding to help other apprentices develop the skills they need to progress and succeed in their careers.
What does a typical day look like?
A typical day involves planning my training and learning assessments and progress reviews – ensuring my apprentices are on track – and preparing resources for our meetings. I meet all my apprentices at least once a month. I ensure apprentices’ off-the-job time is being met, and that they are providing evidence to hit the competencies of the apprenticeship, enabling them to advance their knowledge, skills and behaviours.
What has been your most enjoyable experience at Cogent Skills?
Every day is enjoyable as I am doing what I love! Seeing my apprentices meet their target grades or above is something that will never get old. I must mention Cogent’s comms days too – getting the whole company together to bond and learn more about each other’s roles is always something I look forward to. The environmental treasure hunt activity we recently did in Blackpool was a firm favourite!
What has been your biggest challenge?
Adapting to an office-based job! I have always worked in practical roles, carrying out experiments and tests, being on my feet all day – so it was a huge change going from that to working at a desk most of the time. Setting a strict routine for myself has helped, though: I tend to go for a walk before work and at lunch, and generally make sure I move throughout the day.
What are you looking forward to working on in the year ahead?
We have taken on a lot of new lab apprentices this year, with more to come. I am looking forward to getting to know them all and help them reach their goals.
How do you spend your time outside work?
My fiancé is originally from Cornwall, we try to go down there as much as possible and spend time on the beaches and see the sights. I have an English Springer Spaniel cross and he absolutely loves it in Cornwall! Spending time with family and friends is important to me too, my friends and I take it in turns to host games nights and I make sure to set aside time to be social on the weekends and during holidays.
