Bob Skilton takes over as new Electrical Installations Training Manager at PPL Training.
Whilst still relatively new to the role of Electrical Installations Training Manager, Bob Skilton is no stranger to the classroom. Nor is he a stranger to the delegates who visit PPL Training’s Slough Campus.
An ever-popular figure, Bob took over the management of PPL’s Electrical Installations courses in late 2023. His experience includes:
- Almost 40 years of experience within military and civilian industry as an M&E Engineer.
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Maintenance management
- Project management
- Bomb disposal
You can read more about Bob’s experience, and that of the wider PPL Training team by visiting: https://go.ppltraining.co.uk/etm/staff
Hear From The New Leadership
Speaking on the opportunity to head up the Electrical Installations team at PPL Training, Bob said:
“It was really important to me that this team we have built over the last decade stayed as strong as possible during this period of change. To do that we must play to our strengths both individually and collectively…”
“To me, that means an emphasis on the overall experience of our paying customers. Quality classroom delivery is our number one priority at PPL Training, across the board. I am pleased to not only manage a team of highly knowledgeable and skilled tutors, but also be able to contribute to this mission myself… I love being in the classroom helping electricians from all industries develop”
Available Training Courses
With role changes, and the potential for further course changes on the horizon, it is important to understand PPL Training’s current offering of City & Guilds qualifications, which can be delivered at their City & Guilds Approved Centres in York, Slough and Livingston, as well as On-site at client premises. These courses include:
- 18th Edition Wiring Regulations | City & Guilds 2382-22 (2382-22)
- Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations | City & Guilds 2391-52
- In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (PAT Testing) | City & Guilds 2377-77
- Fundamental Inspection and Electrical Testing | City & Guilds 2392-10
- Design and Verification of Electrical Installations | City & Guilds 2396
- Design and Installation of Domestic and Small Commercial Electric Vehicle Charging Installations | City & Guilds 2921-31
Also offered are:
- Mechanical to Electrical Conversion – Foundation (City & Guilds Assured)
- Escape Lighting (City & Guilds Assured)
- Fire Alarms and Detection Systems – Commercial (In review with IFSM)
- Fire Alarms and Detection Systems – Domestic (In review with IFSM)
Full course overviews of all City & Guilds Electrical Qualifications can be found on PPL Training’s website: https://go.ppltraining.co.uk/etm/electrical
Bob’s Right Hand Man
Bob is now flanked by David Parr, acting as Team Leader at our York Campus. David brings another 45+ years experience to the leadership team for Electrical Installations at PPL Training. Having held a number of positions within the electrical industry before accruing close to a decade of teaching, at the front of the classroom.
David added:
“It is an honour to be able to assist Bob in the day-to-day design, planning and delivery of the suite of City & Guilds qualifications that our team is responsible for.”
“Not only that, the togetherness and comradery within our team now under Bob’s leadership is truly refreshing. When a manager leaves any business it can sometimes be difficult to maintain any forward momentum that you may have had, but in this case it has spurred us on to what I believe could be bigger and better things.”
“We have a number of new training courses in the works that will build upon our existing offering. We are also working with other accreditation bodies to gain 3rd party recognition of a number of our courses that will only provide more value to our delegates in the long run.”
What Have You Had to Say?
With the team now settling in under new management, the feedback provided by attending Electricians, currently working in Events, Data Centres, FM, Transport and Defence sectors has been of paramount importance to Bob, David and their staff.
“Great place to train and learn… Excellent Training facilities. Both tutors, Dave and Steve were exceptionally knowledgeable and paced the course in a way that really maximised the time to absorb all the information. I would highly recommend anyone to choose PPL for any electrical training courses.”
Andrew – ASM Global (City & Guilds 2382-22)
“Excellent area for training all facilities in good conditions…Excellent site, excellent and friendly staff,very good food and facility services,very professional tutors.”
Jose – Microsoft (City & Guilds 2921-31)
“The three day course was excellent in both content and delivery. A great learning environment helped by a knowledgeable tutor and comfortable course pace. Onsite facilities and catering were also great. Would highly recommend the team at PPL for any training requirements.”
Jamie – Emcor UK (City & Guilds 2382-22)
“David Parr’s teaching was very clear and informative, but also kept it interesting. Facilities were very good… Would use PPL for more courses.”
Gethin – SCS Railways (City & Guilds 2391-52)
“Excellent teaching… Highly informative of the subject and took time to ensure trainees understood what was being taught. Trainer also took into consideration making documentation and presentations accessible for those with reading difficulties.
David – Vivo Defence (City & Guilds Assured Escape Lighting)
Full course overviews of all Fire Safety installations courses can be found on PPL Training’s website: https://go.ppltraining.co.uk/etm/fire
What Is Coming Next?
Having established itself as one of the go-to training providers for City & Guilds Electrical Qualifications, a touch more variety and some detailed explorations of niche topics not fully explored by their existing courses is what Bob and his team are currently developing.
Said courses in development include:
Electrical Safe Isolation (1 Day)
This would cover the basic requirements of safe isolation as outlined by the Electricity at Work regulations and by the Health & Safety at work act.
Areas Covered:
- Legislation
- Effects of electricity
- Generic isolation methodology
- Practical demonstration with delegate participation
- Discussion of specific work environment and applicability relating to the delegates
Electrical Inspection and Testing Refresher / Awareness (2 Day)
This course is designed to give existing inspectors a refresher on the latest requirements and changes to procedures, also to bring them up to speed if they have been away from testing for a while.
It can be used as a pre-course introduction prior to attending a 2391 if your current employment does not include testing of electrical installations or you have limited experience of testing.
Also as a refresher/consolidation for delegates who has been unsuccessful in a recent 2391 practical/theoretical assessment and are looking to try again.
Areas covered:
- Initial verification, theory and practical
- Periodic Inspection, theory and practical
- Completion of paperwork for both; including interpretation of test results.
Installation, Testing and Maintenance of EV Chargers (1 Day)
The would cover the basic generic requirements of EV charger installation and maintenance.
Areas covered.
- Legislation
- Design interpretation
- Installation methodology
- Initial testing and paperwork
- Generic Maintenance
This course is designed to give the delegates a generic overview of EV charger installation requirements, the initial verification paperwork and the ensuing maintenance requirements.
This is to supplement and assist not replace any specific manufacturers requirements for the equipment installed. It could also be used as a bolt on to the design 2921 course or as a standalone.
With this information, any parties who wish to receive training from Bob and his team, or who would like to submit their interest for any of the 3 courses in development, can enquire by emailing info@ppltraining.co.uk.
PPL Training is an industry leading provider of Safe Systems of Work and Technical compliance training, covering such disciplines as Mechanical and Electrical, Legionella (Water Hygiene) and Fire Safety.
With training centres in York, Slough and Livingston, PPL Training covers the entirety of the UK, not only with their in-centre training, but also with on-site delivery at client premises (where facilities allow).
Should you wish to gain further qualifications, renew existing ones or expand your skill set, PPL Training could be the place for you.
Call 0333 121 1215 to speak with a friendly account manager and continue your professional development journey with PPL, today.
