Since joining British Engines as Group Learning and Development Manager in 2023, Elaine has hit the ground running as she works to enhance the group’s award-winning apprenticeship scheme and develop a brand new graduate scheme.
We sat down with Elaine to discuss her plans for the learning and development department across the group and find out where her passion for supporting career progression comes from.
Tell us about your role
As Group Learning and Development Manager, I have responsibility for the development initiatives across all eight businesses within the group, including the apprenticeship scheme, graduate recruitment and management training. I work closely with each group business to identify gaps and areas where development is required.
I actually worked for the group in the same role from 2015 – 2018 and really enjoyed it. It’s a great company to work for and the vision and values align well with my own, especially its identity as a family-run business and commitment to making an impact across the North East. The emphasis on encouraging young people to consider apprenticeships and the ongoing investment in workforce development really sets the group apart.
It's a great company to work for and the vision and values align well with my own, especially its identity as a family-run business and commitment to making an impact across the North East.
What are you working on?
I’m mainly focusing on our apprenticeship scheme as we recruit for our September 2024 intake. Last year we split our apprenticeships into several routes, so we now offer engineering apprenticeships in Manufacturing, Maintenance, Assembly & Test, Health & Safety, Design and Quality as well as business apprenticeships in Business Administration, Finance, Sales Administration and Human Resources. I’ve been working with our training providers to develop training schemes for each route to ensure we offer our apprentices the best experience and qualifications for their chosen specialism.
As part of the apprentice training, I want to look at what additional training we can offer apprentices to help them improve their communication and presentation skills. I also want to develop team building activities that allow them to work with apprentices from different year groups and disciplines.
Later this year I’m looking at developing a brand new graduate scheme, as well as introducing a development programme for managers across the group.
How do you think your colleagues would describe you?
Probably blunt, but hopefully in a good way! I’m not afraid to find out about things and dig deeper. I’m quite tenacious in that respect. I’m also quite outgoing and focused, I like to get out there and talk to people.
Colleagues who know me from the last time I worked at the group would probably call me the ‘Wild Whippet Woman’ because of my love for whippets! I have four: Rainbow Rising, Star Gazer, Storm Bringer and Måske for Evigt, which means “Maybe Forever” after my favourite Volbeat song. I’m a bit of a metal head!
Where does your motivation come from?
I would say I have a lot of self-motivation. I was one of the first to go to university in my family where I studied for a degree in Education and Development. I actually left school half way through my A Levels to do a Youth Training Scheme (YTS) placement, which was like a short apprenticeship.
I’ve delivered a fair bit of training throughout my career as I enjoy supporting people’s development. It’s rewarding to see their confidence and ability grow overtime, especially when they achieve more than they even imagined they could. Seeing people go through that journey really motivates me.
My dad and grandparents were also big inspirations to me. Since I was one year old, my dad was a lone parent so he and my grandparents brought my sister and I up. Sadly they’re no longer with us but they always supported me to follow my dreams. My dad encouraged us to be strong, independent women who go for what they want and don’t give up. That encouragement had a positive effect on me and made me feel I could achieve my dreams.
My dad encouraged us to be strong, independent women who go for what they want and don’t give up. That encouragement had a positive effect on me and made me feel I could achieve my dreams.
Tell us an interesting fact about you!
One of my whippets, Skoshi Tiger, was Whippet Club Racing Champion for three years running! She won all of the supreme championships including the Scottish and English Derby and I was incredibly proud of her.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love spending time with my four dogs, going out walking and watching them race. I go to lots of gigs and I really enjoy a pub quiz. I like reading as well, I’m planning to read ‘The Burning Girls’ by C.J. Tudor next as I’ve just finished watching the TV series!
How do you maintain a good work-life balance?
I think it comes with experience. There’s always something that could be done but you need to be really disciplined and distinguish between work and home, it helps that I have a separate work phone and laptop. I’ve actually transformed my spare room into a study, so I try to keep all my work related things in that room. Having boundaries is really important.
In one of my previous roles I delivered training around self-care and boundaries where we explored what people did to look after themselves and how you can’t help others if you’re not looking after yourself. As part of this, we explored how important it is to take your lunch breaks and time off so you can relax.
Thank you for speaking to us Elaine, we can’t wait to see the impact your plans have on the British Engines Group over the coming years!