Engineer Surveyor Trainer

I joined Cornhill (now known as Allianz) as a Lift and Crane Engineer Surveyor just over 29 years ago in 1978 having previously served a five year indentured apprenticeship at a firm of crane and excavator manufacturers. It was a requirement at that time that prospective Lift and Crane Surveyors were time served with experience in the crane or the lift industry together with a minimum of a relevant HNC or equivalent qualification.

After a short period with the company I was registered with the Bureau of Engineers which later became incorporated into the Institute of Plant Engineers and then into the Institute of Operations Engineers.

In 1980 I was fortunate enough to be selected as a Trainer of new Engineer Surveyors, a role I have continued to enjoy to-date. Whilst the training of new Engineer Surveyors is now more regulated the format has changed little since I joined the company. Trainees all spending one to three weeks with different Trainers over a three to four month period before undertaking a final assessment.

The company has invested time and money in me on internal courses and seminars to enhance my effectiveness as a Trainer. They sponsored me on a two year part time course at the University of Hull which enabled me to achieve Chartered Membership of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and this has been particularly useful in the special service work I have been involved in with some of our major clients.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the job has been meeting many different people within a wide diversity of industries and organisations including mines, quarries and utility services to name just a few. One of our large clients has been on my books for over 23 years.

Another enjoyable aspect, whilst at times challenging, is being able to manage and organise my own area. The extensive range of plant examined requires the role of a Engineer Surveyor to be technically and physically demanding at times.