We sat down with Andrew Hepworth, Programme Tutor at Cogent Skills, to learn more about his role and what he enjoys most about supporting apprentices on their journey.

What does your role involve?

My role involves developing course materials for new qualifications and delivering online teaching sessions over Teams. My work focuses on courses such as the Process Industry Manufacturing Technician Level 2 and 3 for process operators (which runs alongside the new PIMT apprenticeship standard) and a new hydrogen safety course, both accredited by SIAS.

These courses give apprentices and other employees essential technical knowledge which is directly applicable to their roles, boosting their capability and confidence. For employers, the training helps build a more skilled and safe workforce, supports regulatory compliance, improves operational performance, and reduces risks – critical in areas like hydrogen production and handling.

What does a typical day look like?

A typical day would involve going to my “study” (spare bedroom), checking my plan for the day or the week ahead and planning how to fill the non-teaching time – prioritising any time-dependent tasks.

What has been your most enjoyable experience at Cogent Skills?

Without a doubt, working with all my colleagues at Cogent. Despite working from home, they are only a Teams call away and they have all been so supportive in helping me settle into my new role.

What has been your biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge has been adapting to working from home full-time. I’m not used to such a sedentary workplace, so I’ve had to build in exercise breaks throughout the day.

What are you looking forward to working on in the year ahead?

I’m particularly excited about developing Cogent’s distance learner courses, which will involve working with a new delivery platform and new course-writing software.

Distance learning, where learners progress through a course online at their own pace without attending live lessons, offers significant benefits for both learners and employers. For learners, it provides flexibility to fit study around work shifts and personal commitments, allowing them to learn when they are most focused and motivated. It also encourages self-discipline and independent learning skills.

For employers, distance learning minimizes disruption to operations, as staff do not need to be released for scheduled training sessions. It also allows for scalable, consistent training across different sites and locations, ensuring everyone gets the same high-quality instruction.

What did you do before you joined Cogent Skills?

I worked for a similar company based in Humberside, where I taught face-to-face three days a week and worked from home on distance learner courses on the other two. Before that, I worked full-time in a college of further education, teaching science subjects.

How do you spend your time outside work?

I’m keen on DIY, love computers and enjoy my garden. I have two small dogs that demand regular attention and, dare I say it, like playing games on my PS5.