Profile
Graham Wiggins
My CV
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Education:
Fitzharry’s secondary, then loads of colleges in 20yrs, then Teeside university
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Qualifications:
Loads, too many to list ! 10 GCSE’s, loads of NVQ’s, ONC, HNC, LiRF
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Work History:
worked at STFC since 1993 ! volunteer at Science Oxford and STEMNET, also run my own business.
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Current Job:
STFC Central Laser facility target area technician and NVQ assessor. ( not forgetting my own business ! )
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About Me:
Calm, Capable, Confident, multi-skilled engineer, keeper of one cat.
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A little about me ?
Winner of I’m An Engineer Get Me Out Of Here Apprentice Zone 2014 !
Interested in engineering and how things work from a young age, I’m now doing that for a living.
Waaay back in 1993 I started work as an Apprentice with the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, in Oxfordshire. It’s now 2017, and I’m now looking after the electrical/electronic needs of The Central Laser Facilities customers.
I also assess ( check ) the current Apprentices progress toward their NVQ qualifications.
Away from Work….
Engineering is still a big part of my Life, from my hobby of classic and vintage vehicles, to running, athletics, triathlon and swimming. The skills learnt from engineering cross over into different subjects so well. ( eg energy use and energy budgets )
I have several UK National age group rankings for running and athletics, and compete in local, regional, and national events.
I have a four legged furry pet, and at 17 years old, she’s doing really well for a cat. …she’s really good at hunting, and often brings “presents” home – like parts of sausages, and “fried” chicken bones !
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My Main role is basically problem solving, finding ways to keep our customers happy, and their electrical/electronic devices working !
This can involve custom made items, or maybe some latest apps/software, or some really old equipment – can be almost anything, low voltage, or high voltage, maybe some high current…whatever… The most important goal is safety, no matter what.
My NVQ assessing role involves checking the Apprentices work against National standards, and also out own company standards. This involves working with different employers, and training providers.
Voluntary activities !
I find a bit of time to do some public engagement, be that web-chats, or science lessons in local schools, village fetes, or tours of our Laser facility…
and…. sometimes… just sometimes… when nobody else can solve the problem, I get a few “odd” tasks coming my way, like restoring the console of a 1960’s super computer….
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My Typical Day:
Don’t have one ! I have to be flexible in everthing I do
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The basic plan is,
0730-0900>>> Any early morning requests, or admin, or task planning
0900-1015 >>> meet the customers, and find out about any requests
1015-1200>>> responding to customer requests, or maybe a facility development project if time allows
1200-1300 >>> LUNCH 🙂
1300-1600 >>> anything I haven’t done yet…
MONDAYS 1300-1430 NVQ assessing, then
1430-1600>>>anything else I haven’t done yet 🙂
1600 Head for home ( unless I get an urgent request or breakdown to fix )
sometime later, I’ll go for a 6 mile run, or swim a couple of km i the local pool
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Calm, Confident, Capable
What did you want to be after you left school?
at school, I wanted to be a pilot, in my final 3 years, I realised electronics were fun, and I could get paid for doing that
What don't you like about your current job?
all the walking, I do three to five km per day….
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