Meet The Staff

Gary has spent years within the Construction Industry working on a wide range of projects. He decided to open Able Skills after years of frustration in never being able to get a reliable and/or qualified workforce. He started this Company in 2003 and it has progressed beyond recognition, Gary remains as keen as at day 1 and is constantly looking to offer more and for Able Skills to be the best. Gary is a Princes Trust mentor and has been instrumental in forging links with North West Kent College to provide an extra avenue of training for them. Gary is fair and honest and truly believes that everyone deserves an opportunity to progress, which is why Able Skills offers the most flexible training programmes and payment plans of any training provider in the UK.

Angela has in one way or another been with Able Skills since it's launch and is now in the role of Centre Manager. Since taking on this position and working closely with Gary, the Centre has secured approval from Construction Awards Alliance and CITB. Angela has developed excellent liaisons with all of the Governing Bodies, local Colleges and all External Verifiers and as a result, Able Skills is now the biggest private training provider in the UK. Angela has a background of dealing with the public and spent over 20 years working within Government departments. Like Gary, she still has the willingness to succeed and to ensure that quality training is accessible to everyone. Angela is also a Princes Trust Mentor.

John comes from a background in the Printing industry and has owned and managed his own Printing Company. John has watched Able Skills growth over recent years and has joined the Company in his capacity as Operations Manager to ensure the smooth running of the Business.

Carla is Able Skills most recent recruit and has the role of providing support to all office staff. She has just successfully undertaken her 'A' levels and is a very bright individual. She has previously worked part time for Able Skills and has joined us to gain experience for later life and because Angela can't work with anyone else!

Qualifications: Basic & Advanced Craft Plumbing, CCN1 plus 5 domestic modules, A1 Assessor, V1 Internal Verifier, NVQ level 4 in management, Steam Plant maintenance, Cert ED, Construction Site Safety Supervisor.

Jim served 24 years in the British Army, Royal Engineer.He has taught both military and civilian subjects for over 20 years. He has taught Plumbing level 2 & 3, gas and steam to military class 1 students.

Jim joined Able Skills in 2006 as the head of the Plumbing department; delivering C&G 6129 as well as being Able Skills lead Internal Verifier. In 2010, Jim will also take a role within the Gas Centres to lighten the load and help with all assessments and internal verification systems.

Qualifications: Basic & Advanced Craft Plumbing, CCN1 plus 6 domestic modules, LPG: CoNGLP 1PD, CoNGLP 1RPH, CoNGLP 1LAV, HTRLP 2, A1 Assessor, V1 Internal Verifier.

Roy has worked for many years within the industry covering both domestic and commercial plumbing including successfully running his own plumbing and heating company.

Roy has taught at Able Skills since 2006 and has progressed to achieve both his Assessor and Internal Verifier awards. Roy will happily teach both DIY and qualification plumbing but his love is with Gas and he played a major part in the opening of both of our Gas centre's and in the delivery of both the Gas training and Assessment programmes we have in place here. Roy will also be specializing in LPG training in 2010

Qualifications: Basic & Advanced Craft Plumbing, CCN1 plus 6 domestic modules, A1 Assessor, V1 Internal Verifier, Cert Ed and Commercial Gas.

Ian worked for many years within the plumbing industry before moving to a teaching role within an FE College. He has also undertaken roles as a senior lecturer and Head of Plumbing for another private training provider prior to joining Able Skills. Ian can teach both Plumbing and Gas for Able Skills and it has been his influence, along with Roy, which has enabled us to move very successfully into the Gas training industry. Ian will be teaching Commercial Gas for Able Skills in 2010 in our new Commercial Gas Centre.

Qualifications: City & Guilds level 2 and 3, A1 Assessor, First Aid, EAL DEI level 2, PASMA.

Toby has worked within the Plumbing industry for a number of years but moved into teaching at quite an early age. Toby has had experience at both College/FE level and at another smaller private training provider before joining Able Skills early 2009. Toby currently teaches City & Guilds 6129 level 2 and will move to teach level 3 and Gas in the near future.

Qualifications: JIB Apprenticeship, C&G 2360 Part 2, BSc (HONS) Design & Construction Management, A1, V1 & V2 Kevins experience in both the electrical industry and teaching industry is extensive.

He has covered every aspect of Electrical work possible and has also taught at all levels for FE Colleges and Private Training providers alike. He is a qualified NVQ Assessor, Lecturer, Internal Verifier and has also been a City & Guilds External Verifier. We are delighted to welcome Kevin to the team in his role as Electrical Manager and his presence will also enable us to continue with NVQ level 3 assessing. Kevin will take the lead in managing the changes which the new QCF and C&G 2357 will bring.

Qualifications: C&G 224/2350/2360/2382/2391/2392/2377/2393 NVQ level 2, AM1, C&G 2372 Photovoltaic, A1 Assessor and V1 Internal Verifier

Jim has spent many years undertaking installations within the domestic, industrial and commercial industry. He made the change to teaching and has taught at FE Colleges and Centres of Technical Excellence before joining Able Skills to undertake the role as head of our Electrical department. Jim has been fundamental in putting together delivery packs for all of the Electrical training we provide and in 2009 he achieved the C&G 2372 which has enabled us to deliver the City & Guilds Photovoltaic qualification.

Qualifications: C&G 2360 Parts 1 & 2, C&G 2382/2377/2391 and A1 Assessor award

Paul has worked within the Electrical Industry since leaving school. He has covered every aspect of Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Electrical work including working on the London Underground. Paul has also been an Engineer for British Telecomm and all in all, has over 25 years of hands on experience. His teaching career has been undertaken at Prospects College and John Laing Training before joining Able Skills to cover all Electrical courses with the emphasis being on 2330 at levels 2 and 3. Paul has already achieved his A1 award and is working towards V1 with Able Skills.

Qualifications: C&G 2360 Parts 1 and 2, C&G 2391, C&G 2382, EAL VRQ Level 2, AM1, A1 Assessor.

Alan has spent many years working within the domestic, industrial and commercial industry and has subcontracted to various companies. The work he has undertaken has varied from Installation, maintenance, inspection and testing and rectification work.

He has also taught Electrical principles to school age students and joined Able Skills to concentrate mostly on the delivery of Domestic Electrical (Part P) courses and qualifications in our purpose built Part P Electrical training centre

Qualifications: C&G 2381, C&G 2382, C&G 2400, C&G 2391, Post Graduate Diploma in Management, Electrical Technician's, Electronics/ Computer Engineering, Full Technological Certificate, C&G 511 Meter Instrumentation and Relays, C&G 346 Electrical Craft Practice.

Richard worked for London Electricity for nearly 34 years, spending most of his career in what is now known as ECS metering and data services. He then moved to a role as a Project Engineer before a brief teaching spell in FE and then to Able Skills. Richard is able to deliver all of the Electrical courses we provide here and will willingly take on any Electrical programme which he is presented with and in addition, is currently undertaking an Assessor programme to achieve his A1 units.

Richard is registered as an Incorporated Engineer ( I.Eng ) with the Engineering Council and a corporate member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, (MIET)

Qualifications: Carpentry ICA/ACA/NVQ Level 2/3, 1 Unit Bricklaying / Plastering / Gas Welding Plumbing Technical Certificate Level 2/3, Electrician Technical Certificate Level 2/3, C&G 2377 and C&G 2372, A! Award

For the past ten years, Richard has run his own construction business, a multi-trade building company covering all aspects of property maintenance, refurbishment, renovation, conversion, acquisitions, sales and buy to let rental and management. Richard has a desire to gain knowledge and enjoys learning, hence his qualifications in 3 different construction related subjects. He considers himself predominantly to be an Electrician although is very versatile and therefore, an asset to Able Skills. He is at his best when delivering theory in classroom situations and thoroughly enjoys giving the knowledge he has to his students.

Qualifications: C&G 2360, 2400, C course, BTEC Electrical & Electronic HND2382, 2391, 2392, 2377 01 & 02, 2393, 2372, AM 2, A1 Assessor, PTTLS, DTTLS and working towards V1 Internal Verifier

Mike has spent many years undertaking various aspects of Electrical work within the industrial and commercial industry on both an employed and self employed basis. He made the change to teaching in 2000 and has taught at FE Colleges before joining Able Skills in 2010.

Qualifications: C&G 2330 level 2, C&G 2382, 2377, 2393

After 30 years of working for Fords Motor Co, Steve was made redundant and made the positive step of joining Able Skills as a student in the hope of a career change. Steve was a model student, very organised, polite and helpful and seemed the perfect candidate as we searched for a technician.

Steve's role within Able Skills Electrical Centre is to ensure that all stores are maintained, to manage the general day to day requirements of the Centre and to be available as additional support to new students. Steve will continue to study with us and progress with his qualifications.

Qualifications: BTEC National Diploma in Construction Studies, A1 Assessor and V1 Internal Verifier, CITB approved NVQ Assessor

Max spent many years working within the tiling industry on both domestic and commercial installations and has worked both on an employed and self employed basis.

Max joined Able Skills initially delivering 5 day courses but has devised many specialist training packages for us and has also progressed with his teaching awards to enable us to deliver Construction Diplomas. Max is very organized and has played a major role in putting together comprehensive portfolios for all of our Construction students who are progressing to NVQ.

Qualifications: NVQ Level 2, A1 Assessor

Terry spent many years working within the tiling industry on both an employed and self employed basis. He has covered both domestic and commercial tiling and has been involved in some very large projects around the UK.

He joined Able Skills to enable us to expand our tiling department and has worked with Max to devise various specialist Tiling packages to aid any Tiling student looking to move on in the Tiling industry and gain NVQs.

Qualifications: C&G Plastering, A1 Assessor and V1 Internal Verifier.

Despite his youthful looks, Spencer is an experienced Plasterer with 18 years experience within the plastering industry

He has worked all over the world covering all aspects of plastering within the domestic, commercial and industrial sector. He has been with Able Skills since opening and has progressed from teaching short courses to providing qualification training as well as being an NVQ Assessor.

Qualifications: C&G Advanced Craft Plastering, A1 Assessor and working towards V1 Internal Verifier.

Jo is an experienced Plasterer with 31 years experience within the plastering industry; he served his apprenticeship with Trollope and Colls.

He has worked on major projects around the UK before moving into teaching at private training facilities; he joined Able Skills in 2010 and is an active NVQ Assessor for Able Skills On-Site Assessments.

Qualifications: Craft Certificate in Brickwork, A1 Assessor, V1 Internal Verifier, Cert Ed, NVQ Assessor.

Simon spent many years within the bricklaying industry working on the construction of houses, flats and industrial units. He then moved to teaching roles within an FE College delivering City & Guilds qualifications and Intermediate Construction Awards before joining Able Skills where he continues to deliver these awards and assists with Internal Verification of other subjects.

Qualifications: C&G Bricklaying, A1 Assessor, V1 Internal Verifier and NVQ Assessor

Paul has spent many years within the construction industry covering most aspects of building and construction but his speciality is bricklaying and carpentry. He is very versatile and can turn his hand to most skills.

At present he delivers qualifications for Able Skills in both Bricklaying and Carpentry. He has also received training in the art of Venetian plastering and is able to deliver this course to Able Skills students.

Qualifications: C&G Craft Carpentry, Advanced Craft Carpentry and A1, V1, NVQ Assessor

Tim has spent many years working within the construction industry and before teaching, was a self employed Carpenter & Joiner covering a wide range of projects. He has spent the past 6 years teaching Military Personnel level 2 and 3 in Carpentry and will be joining Able Skills in May 2011.

Qualifications: C&G Craft Carpentry, Advanced Craft Carpentry and Full tech cert in Carpentry, ACIOB, A1, V1, V2

Ron has covered every aspect of Carpentry work possible and has held positions as Foreman Carpenter, Site Engineer and Site Manager. He has also taught at all levels for FE Colleges and has been Head of Section, Head of Department and Head of Construction. He is a qualified NVQ Assessor, Lecturer with Certificate of Education, Internal Verifier and has also been a City & Guilds External Verifier and Quality Advisor for Cskills. We are delighted to welcome Ron to the team in his role as Construction Manager and his presence at Able Skills will help us make the changes to courses and materials in line with QCF.

Qualifications: C&G & NVQ level 3 Plumbing, C&G 6084 and for gas: CCN1/CPA/CKR/HTR/WAT/CEN/MET 1 He is Bpec approved for Water Regs, Unvented Hot Water Systems and Warm Water Underfloor Heating (Install & Design), In addition, he is A1 Assessor and working towards V1 Internal Verifier.

Simon has served many years working within the plumbing industry on an employed and self employed basis where he frequently undertook work on oil tanks and boilers. He taught within FE before moving to a private provider and joined Able Skills in 2010 where he is predominantly responsible for Gas training and Assessment although can move around the Centres and cover Plumbing and some Renewable Technologies.

Qualifications: NVQ level 2 in Decorative Finishing and Industrial Painting, Working towards A1 Assessor

Mark has spent many years within the construction industry covering most aspects of building and construction but his background is in Carpentry and Painting & Decorating.

He has years of experience and is keen to pass all of his skills and knowledge on to anyone who has an interest in pursuing a career in Painting & Decorating.