Training Qualifications UK has been a busy old place the past few weeks and we recently added three new additions to the team in the shape of Ben, Oneil and Zacc who join the Qualifications, End-Point Assessment and Operations teams respectively.
We sat down with the latest recruits to find out what they think of TQUK so far, they’re history, what lofty heights they set themselves in primary school (one of our three wanted to be Big Bird from Sesame Street, let's find out if that dream came true…) and which three celebs they would love to dine out with.
Hi all, welcome to Training Qualifications UK, we hope you’ve all had a great opening couple of weeks. Formalities out the way, how're things going?
Ben: It’s a brave new world here at TQUK. From moving steel joists to packing goodie bags to writing exam questions, it’s been an eye-opener! Thankfully I’ve been allowed to sit down now and start doing my job.
Zacc: Yeah, it’s been a good few weeks so far and I think I’m settling in pretty well and everyone in the Operations team, in particular, is sound.
What have you been up to so far in the office?
Ben: I’m currently trying to get a grasp of how the business works, how each team works, and how my role will fit into these sectors. As Assessment Officer I’ve been charged with ensuring the assessments that are being sent out are to the standard required of a fast-growing Awarding Organisation with a blazing ambition of being the best out there. Dotting i’s and crossing t’s has never been so crucial and I’m ready to show I’m up to the task!
Oneil: So far I have been meeting and getting to know all my very helpful colleagues who are friendly and do define the word ‘team’. Meeting all the teams and getting to know their job roles gave a very good insight into how the business operates with everything very transparent, which is great. Understanding how things run at TQUK helps with knowing exactly how you fit in and knowing who best to turn to for any advice, well if I am honest I feel I could turn to anyone here.
Zacc: I’ve been very quickly on task within the Operations team, it’s a well-drilled unit and they’ve welcomed me into the team really nicely. I’ve been mainly processing certificates and sending them out to training providers/learners. I’ve had a couple of other jobs whilst I’m getting to know the business like sampling and I’ve also been helping Chris with some End-Point Assessment related tasks.
Previous to joining TQUK, what did you get up to? How do you think those previous experiences will help you at TQUK?
Ben: I’ve worked in a number of private-sector management roles so I can see where the business is heading and how well it is managed. It’s refreshing to see such an across-the-board involvement from so many team members and you can really see the personal pride on display.
Oneil: I have been an assessor for various colleges and private training companies and a hands-on care worker before then and have gained ample experience in both job roles. This I feel puts me in an excellent position to carry out my new job role as an End-Point Assessor with the vast knowledge on what daily duties care workers do and health and social care assessors. Understanding their difficult roles and how best to translate their best practice. Having a better understanding in what an apprentice is trying to say and assessors.
Zacc: We’ve all arrived at TQUK from vastly different backgrounds! I worked in retail for a few years so hopefully, my experience with face to face customer service will help me within the Operations team helping with centres with their queries.
Ben: What I have noticed so far is that people at TQUK take their roles seriously, take pride in their work, and find time to have fun while doing it. It’s great to see! Having taught English for five years I can see how these values and behaviours would track down to the guys on the frontline. I just wish I’d had such a strong support network when I was delivering qualifications on that frontline.
How does your opening weeks here compare with previous positions?
Zacc: My experience so far has been a lot better than others. I’ve not been thrown in at the deep end and everything’s happening at a steady pace so I can understand the overall picture and my position within the company first. This really helps in your mind to piece together everything and understand how important each role is within the business.
Ben: It was very apparent, even at my interview, that this was a great place to work. People have been very helpful, kind, and supportive and I fully expect this to continue until I’m ready to hand over my support to the inevitable new starters in the coming months because this place is growing fast!
Oneil: Like Zacc, I don’t think I have been employed anywhere before being employed at TQUK where the first week was all about meet and greet sessions and not just thrown into the deep end. I thoroughly enjoyed my previous employment as well. However, teamwork does definitely begin with a capital T at TQUK.
We’re a big brew drinking crew at TQUK towers, what’s your preferred method of brewing?
Ben: Hops and yeast usually works best.
Oneil: Has to be a tall clear glass then adding some juice. Cold, as I don’t drink tea or coffee.
Zacc: I’ll take an energy drink ta!
When you were in primary school, what did you want to be when you were older?
Ben: Like everyone else I wanted to be an astronaut of course; who didn’t? (you’re right Ben – I certainly did!) Although I do remember feeling very confused about why I wasn’t a member of the Royal family when I was very young. Even then I had a misplaced sense of entitlement, although this is gradually declining as middle-aged apathy kicks in.
Oneil: Big bird from Sesame Street - but that didn't really pan out. So I then wanted to be some kind of designer, not sure what I wanted to design though.
Zacc: That’s easy, a video game developer.
The pop quizzes and trivia games are a formality in the office, which three celebrities would you bring to a dinner party?
Ben: Nigella Lawson – purely for her culinary skills of course ;), Chuck Palahniuk – the man’s mind is just a cauldron of bonkers!, Werner Herzog – I could listen to that guy read the telephone directory from start to finish and not get bored.
Oneil: Steven Fry, David Attenborough, James Brown for sound effects.
Zacc: Louis Theroux, Stanley Kubrick and Hideo Kojima.
Which one CD or Spotify playlist could you have on repeat and never get tired of?
Ben: My own playlist ‘La Favorita’. It grows daily and runs all the way from sixties prog right through to nineties bangers. From Afghan Whigs to Dead Prez, Led Zeppelin to Tori Amos, try and find a pattern if you dare. There is one…pop music is evil.
Zacc: Gorillaz – Demon Days, simple.
Oneil: Bruce Springsteen – anything and everything.
Any hidden skills or talents that we could know about? Any secrets you could reveal that nobody in the office would know?
Ben: I’m a massive movie star, but everyone knows that already. See the end credits for Ironclad. ‘Man with pike’ = Me.
Oneil: I think I’m good with my hands and enjoy taking things apart from laptops to light fittings and repairing any faults. This then extended my confidence to making my own light fittings, not laptops.
Zacc: Wouldn’t be a secret now would it?
You’ve got a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world. You have to depart right now. Where are you going to go?
Ben: Escaping the zombie apocalypse? South America. Fancy holiday? Madagascar. Financially viable? Bognor.
Zacc: Japan
Oneil: Peak of Mount Everest as I would soon learn how to pray.
The big one, red or blue?
Ben: Come on REDS!!!!! Please, for the love of God, come on just once this season!
Zacc: The Red Pill, you’re taking about the Matrix right?
Oneil: Neither as I am not really into football but years back it was definitely Reds
Thanks for your time guys and welcome to Training Qualifications UK!
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