Spotlight on Ian Coward – Case Study
STEGTA Engineering Training Officer & Health, Safety & Welfare Officer
Where did your interest in engineering come from?
My interest in engineering stems from my dad – he was a fitter/welder at a company in Wigan, after spending time as a blacksmith. Following research into my family tree, it turns out that I’m the 4th generation of engineer with experience in blacksmithing!
How did your career as an engineer start?
As my dad died when I was 7, I only had vague memories of him taking me around the factories he worked in, seeing molten and red hot metal being worked, and equipment being assembled and welded. So doing engineering in school was an excellent start – especially as we did Tin smithing, Copper smithing, brazing, Sand casting, hand fitting and turning.
I achieved an ‘O’ level in engineering and applied to numerous engineering companies for an apprenticeship. I remember being told after several interviews and rejections, that I would never get an apprenticeship; but the day after that I received a letter telling me that I had been successful, and should report to the works manager of Stephen Moss & Sons in Warrington at 08:00 on July 17th 1978. I had no idea what I would be doing, but was delighted to have the opportunity.
What did your Apprenticeship training include?
I did a 4-year apprenticeship as a Plater/Welder, which consisted of 12 months full time off the job training in college, then a further 3 years day-release. As the company was general engineering, we did a wide variety of things other than fabrication and welding: Machining, Fitting & Assembly, Site work, Pipe work, and Installation & Commissioning. On successful completion of the apprenticeship, I completed the C&G Licentiateship in Fabrication & Welding Inspection & Quality control, as an addition to my apprenticeship.
Why did you decide to make the transition from industry into education?
This was a forced path following a very serious motorcycle accident, with the surgeon telling me that if I was to return to working in heavy industry (I was working as a coded pipe welder at the time) I would need a wheel chair within 3 years (this was 1996). He told me to follow a path of office/desk based work, and as I had no option, I had to retrain. I chose to follow his advice by completing an HND in Computing, as part of my rehabilitation programme, which (as a mature student), led to me being asked to teach basic skills in Maths, English and IT to L2 GNVQ students. I completed the HND, followed by C&G 7307 Adult and Further education teachers certificate – including D32 & D33 assessors awards (when the college found out I was time served!), and finally the Cert. Ed. From Manchester University. During my time as a college lecturer, I have also completed the Level 4 IQA Award.
Have you completed further qualifications as a STEGTA Training Officer?
I have completed the NEBOSH General Certificate, and several other courses from the HSE in regards to Health & Safety. I maintain CPD for my role as TO and also as the H&S officer.
What does your typical day look like?
There is no typical day: Apart from guiding apprentices through their qualifications, and portfolio evidence gathering; I also assess their work to ensure it meets the criteria required for NVQ and National standards. As one of the Stegta IQA team, I also carry out Internal Quality Assurance checks to make sure the assessors I look after are maintaining the necessary quality required to provide effective and timely support to their apprentices. As a TO, I also provide guidance and support to the companies the apprentices work in. I maintain CPD in my specialist engineering areas, as well as taking part in regular Standardisation meetings for Assessors.
What would you say to someone thinking about starting an apprenticeship in engineering?
Go for it! Students (and some parents) who have never been involved in engineering tend to have the view that it’s a dirty business, and will be low paid: Nothing could be further from the truth! There are so many branches of engineering – from Design, through manufacture, research, installation, maintenance, servicing, commissioning; into chemical, computers and medical. The list is almost endless, and as an apprentice engineer you will learn more things that you ever thought possible.
Pictured above left: Ian and his Mentor Peter Smith taken in 1982 at Stephen Moss & Sons, of Hawleys Lane, Warrington. Ian is tacking up a Vessel for use on a chemical plant. He had developed the pattern shapes before cutting and rolling the plates into the conical shapes that you can see in the picture.
Pictured above right: Ian presenting a STEGTA Excellence Award to one of his Apprentices, Sam Kirkland for outstanding performance in Engineering Maintenance.