Learning and development manager

I’m responsible for the development of staff across the whole organisation. Leading a team of learning & development specialists we ensure individuals have access to a range of training solutions to effectively deliver in their role and advance their career.

What do you like about your job?

I love the variety my role provides, from managing and developing my own team to the delivery of training and working with senior leaders to identify and develop future talent. There are so many different initiatives and projects, the role never stands still.

What's your working day like?

Everyday can be different and is driven by the business and project demands. Examples of some of the things I get involved in include:

• Management, support and development of my team
• Delivery of leadership and bespoke training courses
• Designing and developing training initiatives to develop individuals across the business
• Project management of learning & development initiatives for the business
• Working on industry wide initiatives with other house builders

Although I’m based at our National Training Centre, where the majority of our training is delivered, I also spend time at our divisions across the country working with managers and directors.

What skills do you need in your job?

Due to the variety the role offers a real range of skills are needed. No one is a master of everything so it’s important to understand your strengths and how to make the most of them. Some of the skills that are really important are leadership, creativity and project management.

Leadership of the team is important to create a positive culture in which the team can deliver an excellent service to the business. Learning & development is not just about the delivery of training, you need to think about how to improve things, create new ideas and challenge what’s currently in place. Project management is an important skill to ensure initiatives are delivered on time and successfully.  

What was your background before starting this role?

I have worked in learning & development for over 10 years and spent most of this time at companies in or linked to the construction industry. I started in an administration role and have worked my way up to a management position gaining vital skills and experience along the way. I have taken the time to invest in my own development completing qualifications and accreditations to support my experience.

What are you most proud of in your career?

It’s hard to pick just one thing I’m most proud of because I have been involved in a number of successful projects, such as setting up a department and gaining industry first accreditations, and I’ve seen people develop and progress because of the training provided.

The role can be very rewarding and I’m proud of the difference we can make to peoples careers.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?

I’ve been lucky to be involved in a range of projects and been presented with great opportunities. I would really like to continue to challenge what is seen as the traditional approach to training and move the construction industry to be a leading industry in developing people and providing exciting careers.

A bit of advice for anyone thinking about a career in construction?

Construction can be a demanding and challenging industry to work in but provides lots of opportunity for a varied and interesting career. If you are prepared to work hard and seize opportunities it can be a very rewarding industry.

Sarah Forbes is a Senior Training and Development Adviser for Robertson Group Limited

What does your role involve?

I act as the main training contact point across our UK wide business, which employs over 1,700 staff.  I ensure that all employees, from labourers to directors, have the training that they require to carry out their jobs safely and to the best of their ability.  I also coordinate the development of our employees to help progress them through their career.

What do you like about your job?

I enjoy being out and about in the business, visiting our offices and sites and speaking to directors about how the training team can meet the needs of each of the business operations.  I also need to keep up to date with industry legislation and enjoy attending seminars to ensure that our business is kept up to speed with industry changes.

What’s your working day like?

On any given day, I could be in my office, on a site or visiting colleagues in another area.  Wherever I am, talking to colleagues about training and development is my focus. I collate reports for directors on training that has been completed and look at training that needs to be carried out in the future.  I ensure that the business is ahead of our competitors by identifying where our skills gaps are.  I work with other parties to put innovative training practices and techniques into place to ensure our staff are ahead of their counterparts in our competitive companies.

What skills do you need in your job?

Great communication is key in this role as you need to be able to not only speak to members of your own team, but also to all levels of management and the wider workforce plus external customers.  An understanding of the construction industry and the card schemes are vital.  Time management and being able to prioritise is also key in this role.

What was your background before starting this role?

I joined the construction industry when I left school and started working full time at Morrison Construction as an accounts clerk. I then decided that I wanted to progress my career and was in the fortunate position where I could give up full time working to attend university, and graduated with an Honours Degree in Social and Management Sciences.  Since graduating, I have spent the last 14 years working for the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).  I was promoted twice and spent the last 10 years assisting all sizes of construction businesses in Scotland South with their training needs, sourcing funding and running a Training Group.

What are you most proud of in your career?

At CITB, when I took over the Training Group in 2006 it had a small group of members who met on a quarterly basis.  I worked closely with this Group and when I left it had become the most productive Training Group in Scotland.  We met on a monthly basis and heard presentations from various bodies. We also had sponsors of the Group and the local Federations were both involved too.  We carried out over 300 training days each year as a Group and were ultimately looked upon by other Training Groups as the Group to aspire to become.  It was through my dedication to the Group and contacts in the industry that the Group became the success it is today.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

I would like to stay within the construction industry but have a bigger team to look after.  I would like to undertake more qualifications, personal development and be a member of CIPD.

A bit of advice for anyone thinking about a career in construction?

Do your research, find out about the role you want to do in the industry, and speak to people who are already in the roles.  Construction is a fantastic industry to work in with many opportunities for progression.