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Biography
David Thomas
Full craft apprenticeship in Electrical Installation (ECS Gold Card Holder)
A1 and V1 assessor awards, Cert Ed, GCGI
Masters Degree in Engineering) MEng , (Masters Degree in Business Administration) MBA.
Electrical CPD including Inspection, Testing and Design
MIET (Member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology)
I participated in WorldSkills competition in Japan in 2007 and WorldSkills competition in Canada in 2009.
I would like to thank the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), SummitSkills, other industry supporters/partners and UK Skills for the support provided that is needed to be involved in this type of competition.
The opportunity to support the development of a competitor that represents the UK in international competition attracted me to the Training Manager role.
The World Skills competition is important to demonstrate and promote vocational skills and excellence of young people in the UK and abroad. The international competition shows practical work at its best and can provide an inspirational example to what can be achieved by professional young people working in their chosen career.
Being part of the development of individuals at the highest possible standards within the industry and being able to watch and support their development is the best part of the role.
The needs and development of competitors are always demanding and have to be tailored for the needs of each competitor. The real difference from 2009 is that we have a high standard to maintain and to build on our past success. Apart from that, training still needs to be the best and as comprehensive as it can be as each international competitor only gets one opportunity at the international competition.
Being involved in international competition gives a greater understanding of international working practices and level of skills that are being achieved in other countries. This is then useful when planning future training programmes and identifying areas that electrical contractors will need to focus on n the future.
The opportunity to represent your country inspires people to be the best that they can. At each stage there are new skills and experiences to perfect which help personal development and performance in the work environment.
A world skills competitor needs dedication to be the best they can be and produce that work under pressure to international standards. This takes a lot of commitment often in difficult circumstances to perform consistently at such a high level.
Having the best craft trained young people in the world competing in London will be inspirational for the industry and show what is possible both in practical craft skills and in the application of technical ability. It is also an opportunity to show young people and industrialists alike the true economic benefits that investment in skills can make for future prosperity.
I am proud to have been involved in the success that UK Skills had in Canada 2009.
When I have the time I like to ride horse, this is something that I am not very good at but something that I would like to do more of.