ON THE MOVE

I swapped the cab for the classroom. After seven years as a driver and then four as a driver instructor, I moved to my current role as an operational trainer in November last year. I’m part of the team that gives new drivers their initial classroom training before they go out with an instructor. I enjoy helping people learn and develop, which I have wanted to do for a while.

Being a trainer is about learning as well as teaching. I get great support from colleagues with decades of experience. I shadowed them to start with, and they are always there to answer questions. I have confidence in my own knowledge, but it’s a different challenge to get that across in a way that new recruits understand.

School wasn’t really for me when I was young. I wasn’t the academic type and left as soon as I could. When I started training as a driver though, I remember staying behind in class to ensure I finished everything! I’ve always enjoyed passing on what I know to others. I did some junior football and boxing coaching when I was younger, and now my daughter plays football, I still help out now and again.

People learn and think in different ways. I’ve learned that from having a son with autism. It makes you look at life differently and appreciate that people learn at different rates. It’s about communicating in the right way to get the best out of individuals.

I’ve been a Millwall fan all my life. I’m a season ticket holder, so that’s how I spend most weekends in the football season. There haven’t been many highlights in recent years – getting to the FA Cup final in 2004 was the last one!