Who's Who

John Cochrane was appointed Industral Chair of Engineering Training Council on 29 November 2009.

Prior to this he was appointed in October 2005 as first Industrial Chair of the N I Spoke of the Automotive Academy, Later to become The National Skills Academy for Manufacturing (NSA-M) in N I, part of SEMTA, the Sector Skills Council for Engineering And Manufacturing Technologies.

He has been a Director of ETC since November 2004.
 

He was appointed Human Resources Manager of Ryobi Aluminium Casing (UK) Ltd in March 1991.  Prior to this John held similar positions within the automotive components sector in NI.

SENIOR MANAGEMENT

CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Following a long career in the engineering industry, Bill Brown was  appointed Chairman of the Council in 1997. He is also on the board of the Engineering Employers Federation and the Northern Ireland Skills Task Force.  Bill took over as Chief Executive of ETC in 2008.
 
 

BUSINESS SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT
David Hatton was the first Chief Executive of the Council and has now moved to a role centering on Business Support and Development for both the Employer Demand  and Training Supply sides for all the sectors in our engineering footprint. The main functions of this role will include education and skills initiatives in up-skilling and re-skilling the current workforce, promoting the sector and skills competitions.  David also represents the interests in NI of SEMTA the Sector Skills Council for Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies.

 

SENIOR MANAGER - OPERATIONS
Gillian Winters started her engineering career as an apprentice, studying Electrical/Electronic Engineering. She then went onto spend in excess of fifteen years within the Engineering and Manufacturing industries as Process/Manufacturing and Quality Engineer.

Gillian has been with the Council since Jan 2005 and is now Senior Manager, Workforce Development Programmes within ETC, responsible for the 'strategic development, planning and leadership of the main programmes within ETC (ETCAL, ETS & NSA-M) providing leadership for attainment of our business goals'.

AWARDING BODY TEAM

Malcolm Reid manages ETC Awards, the wholly owned subsidiary Awarding Body of the Council.  Malcolm is responsible for all Awarding Body and Approved Centre procedures and ensuring compliance with the regulatory authorities' requirements.  Malcolm is also responsible for accreditation of new awards.  Malcolm joined the organisation in 2001, having previously worked in manufacturing and post graduate training development. 


Joe Bell works closely with Malcolm and his duties mainly involve External Verification to ensure compliance with Awarding Body and Approved Centre requirements for a full range of NVQ qualifications and Key Skills.  Joe is a qualified assessor and verifier covering a range of engineering qualifications and has a lead role in the quality assurance of the Business Improvements Techniques programme.  Joe has extensive experience in apprentice and adult skills development.  Joe will also be involved in the strategic direction of ETC Awards and the development of new markets and products.  Joe joined ETC Awards in 2006.


Bobby Dyer works closely with Malcolm and Joe and his duties mainly involve External Verification to ensure compliance with Awarding Body and Approved Centre requirements for a full range of NVQ qualifications and Key Skills.  Bobby is a qualified assessor covering a range of engineering, management and Business Improvement Techniques qualifications.  Bobby has extensive experience in apprentice and adult skills development.  Bobby, who joined ETC Awards in July 2010, will also be contributing to the strategic direction of ETC Awards and the development of new markets and products.  

  

Jim McIlveen manages the ApprenticeshipsNI  Programme and is involved in  promoting engineering careers in general to both employers and young people. Jim has been with the Council since its formation in 1990.

David Cree, Training Adviser,  works alongside Jim on the Apprenticeship programme.  David  is responsible for monitoring the progress of  apprentices engaged on the Programme and giving support to both apprentices and their employers.. David joined the Council in 2008.

Annie Millar, Training Adviser/Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) has been in involved in the promotion and recruitment of education and apprenticeship training programmes since 1992.  

Charles McCullough works closely with Sylvia to provide comprehensive administration and financial support to the Council and its 2 subsidiary companies. Charles joined the Council in 2005.  

Bill Kennedy works part-time alongside Charles and Sylvia assisting in the administration and financial provision for the three companies.  Bill joined the Council in 2004.

Claire Balmer joined ETC at the beginning of 2010 and represents the National Skills Academy for Manufacturing in NI.  Claire is also involved in co-ordinating engineering skills competitions in NI and works closely with the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) and FE.  Claire also provides strategic programme support to the organisation. 

Ryan Connor is Essential Skills Co-Ordinator and projects adviser for ETS and has responsibility for managing and delivering the essential skills provision to meet the requirements of the apprenticeship framework.  In addition he supports a number of projects on an ongoing basis.

TRAINING CONSULTANT