Alan J Cook I Eng; MIIE; AMIPD e-mail: alanjohncook@yahoo.com   (this website URL: http://www.alanjcook.com)

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PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Widely experienced engineer, technical author and trainer (technical, maritime and English language), with multi-discipline knowledge gained in a variety of industries. Experienced in needs analysis and competency based vocational training within the oil & gas sector and in providing courses appropriate to an individuals career development, and the needs of their organisation. Extensive work in co-ordinating / liaising with many different organisations operating together to provide training for young technical trainees.  Familiar with training people from a variety of nations and cultures who work in the oil/gas and other industries. Approximately eight years experience in training electrical craft apprentices, maritime students (about oil/gas/chemical tankers and fire-fighting) and military (aviation) students (English language). Innovative training aids designer. Also able to teach basic computer skills. Teacher of English as a second language, including English for special purposes (technical English). Responsible for the design and implementation of a Technical Communication Skills training course for the Kuwait Air Force. Many years experience in designing and writing technical publications and procedures, training course manuals and other instructional material.  This includes almost seven years as a technical writer at a nuclear power station.  Highly experienced in maintenance and repair of industrial and domestic electrical equipment and L.V. electrical power, distribution and control equipment. Former Mercantile Marine Electrical Engineer Officer with 12 years experience on tankers and passenger ships. Excellent interpersonal skills. Good organisational and administrative abilities. Successful project management experience, including negotiating with suppliers and contractors, direct procurement of materials and training with appropriate budgetary responsibilities. Team management experience.  Highly computer literate with considerable expertise in word processing and desk-top-publishing.  Basic knowledge of web-site construction.  Nine years overseas work experience gained in areas of the Middle and Far East.

PROFESSIONAL STATUS

Electrical Engineer.

Member of the Institution of Incorporated Engineers.

Registered with the Engineering Council as an Incorporated Engineer.

Associate Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development.

QUALIFICATIONS

City & Guilds of London Institute: Full Technological Certificate.

C & GLI Electrical Technicians Certificate - Parts I (T2), II (T4), & III (T5) (5 year course).

C & GLI Electrical Craft Practice. Both Parts (4 year course).

Open University T100 (Technology) Course Certificate

Trinity College Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (Cert. TESOL).

International Maritime Organisation - Instructors Training Course (6.09)

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Aberdeen Skills and Enterprise Training Limited (ASET) - on contract to KUWAIT OIL COMPANY - PETROLEUM TRAINING CENTRE

Kuwait.
February 2007 – Present

ELECTRICAL INSTRUCTOR

Training Kuwaiti nationals in courses that conform to level 2 of the Scottish Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in practical electrical engineering subjects – installation and maintenance topics; both in classroom and workshop environments.

TAFE (Western Australia) - on contract to QATAR PETROLEUM
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT

Doha, Qatar.
May 2006 – Present

ACTING SENIOR SUPERVISOR - TECHNICAL TRAINING

Supervising the short, technical training course placement for all employees within Qatar Petroleum, and subsidiary and joint-venture companies.  Approximately 18000 man/days of training/year are arranged through the department. The department works on a ‘needs-based’ approach to training, whereby training needs are identified by supervisory personnel and discussed with the employee and their Training Focal Point, who enters the need onto the training database.  My role includes analysing these training needs and identifying suitable training courses; in-house, in-Qatar and international courses.  I select appropriate training and, where necessary, prepare the request for contract documents and arrange for contracts / tenders to be placed – and am involved in the technical evaluation of the tender documents. This role includes assessing training providers and the courses they offer and obtaining feedback from course participants. My supervisory tasks include ensuring that all participants of training courses (and visiting instructors) have the correct documentation for international travel and that suitable arrangements have been made for their travel and accommodation. I supervise a number of staff involved in course development and training administration. I also work very closely with training providers who offer courses, both in Qatar and overseas, and frequently meet with representatives from many of the major organisations within the oil and gas industry.  I also visit QP industrial plants to discuss technical training with Training Focal Points, Supervisors and Heads of Departments.

TAFE (Western Australia) - on contract to QATAR PETROLEUM
INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT

Doha, Qatar.
August 2005 – May 2006

TECHNICAL TRAINING FOCAL POINT

I was recruited for this was new project which was to start-up and establish for QP, in conjunction with the College of the North Atlantic – Qatar, a TAFE (Western Australia) accredited training programme in technician training. Within a three month time frame we had approximately 250 trainees admitted to the college on this programme. My main task was to carry out administrative and counselling tasks and establish a good working relationship between the two organisations, and provide assistance to QP trainees as required. Some of this work involved liaising with and co-ordinating training activities between the two organisations.  In addition, I arranged for trainees to be placed with QP departments and joint venture companies for sponsorship and on-the-job training and arranged for these departments / companies to receive progress reports of their trainees attending the college. I also carried out consultancy work of an advisory and support nature, delivering presentations and workshops to the teaching staff at the college, as well as to the trainees.

QATAR AERONAUTICAL COLLEGE - on contract to QATAR PETROLEUM
ENGLISH LANGUAGE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Doha, Qatar.
September 2003 – July 2005

TRAINING MATERIALS WRITER.

Working on competency based training materials for an English language curriculum development project.  
I was mainly involved in designing and writing short, specialised courses (including technical log writing skills and technical report writing skills), for company trainees / employees in the oil and gas industry.  These courses are designed to improve the writing and technical communication skills of the learners and are focussed on specific areas related to their job functions and the plants from which they operate.  I wrote teachers and students books in the Technical Writing Series of publications.  I also contributed to the team of ‘general’ English language writers (including some e-learning), whenever some form of technical input is required.  I was expected to work with a variety of computer software including: Adobe In-Design (DTP), Photoshop and Acrobat as well as Microsoft Office programs.  I frequently visited on-shore and off-shore oil and gas installations to interview students and their supervisors to gather information about training needs. I carried out training needs-analysis based on these interviews and information obtained from documented training requirements.  Two contracts completed.

IPETQ

Kuwait City, Kuwait.
November 2000 – March 2003

INSTRUCTOR OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE

I was initially based at the Military School of Languages, where I taught general English to military personnel (all ranks up to Major), engaged in the three main services. I taught the American Language Course produced by the English Language Centre of the Defence Language Institute in Texas, USA. I then transferred to the Maintenance School of the Air Institute of the Kuwait Air Force where, in addition to general English language teaching, I designed, prepared and presented a specialised course entitled Technical Communication Skills. The main aim of this course was to improve the technical writing and presentation skills of a group of Kuwait Air Force technicians (male and female). Completed contract plus 2 extensions.

BRAND-REX INC.

Subic, Philippine Islands.
April 2000 - October 2000

PROJECT PRODUCT ENGINEERING CONSULTANT

Short-term contract to improve the quality of documentation, and document organisation, in the Product Engineering Department. This included working with data transmission and telecommunication cable designs, data sheets, purchase order processing and tender documents. I also wrote technical instructions and quality work procedures for the product engineering department and machine operators to use in the course of manufacturing and testing Brand-Rex products.

IDESS MARITIME CENTRE

Subic, Philippine Islands.
1998 - 1999

INSTRUCTOR (AND PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR - SOFTWARE DEPT.)

Mainly involved in teaching Filipino Seafarers (from the rank of Master down) courses in General Tanker Familiarisation including Shore-Based Fire Fighting for tanker personnel - a mandatory requirement of the STCW'95 convention of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). I also taught part of the Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities course. In addition to my teaching work, I was also responsible for writing the training manuals used on the tanker courses being run at the centre. I also worked on furthering my skills and experience in computer based training (CBT) and open learning course design and production, using multi-media materials and software, as well as in the design and implementation of training courses for the maritime industry.

CONSOLIDATED MARITIME RESOURCES FOUNDATION INC.

Manila, Philippine Islands.
1997 - 1998

TRAINING SPECIALIST

Teaching Filipino Seamen (from the rank of Master down) courses in General Tanker Familiarisation and Shore-Based Fire-fighting - a mandatory requirement of the STCW'95 conference of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). I also designed and implemented a course entitled “Hydrogen Sulphide Awareness”. This entailed writing the Instructors Guide and literature for the students, as well as preparing the OHP transparencies. I also lectured during part of the pilot course and carried out an evaluation of the course. These courses are recognised internationally and conform to the requirements of the International Maritime Organisation and the International Standards Organisation ( ISO 9001:1994 ) through Det Norske Veritas.
In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I implemented a computerised documentation system for maintaining scholastic records of students passing through the training centre. This involved formatting the documents and training the other training specialists in how to use the computer and the documents on the system. I was also instrumental in upgrading and modernising some of the teaching materials used on the courses, by implementing a system whereby the training specialists could produce their own (colour) OHP transparencies, student handouts and other teaching material, direct from the computer.
I also produced a training video illustrating the practical exercises the students have to carry out as part of their fire-fighting training.

NUCLEAR ELECTRIC PLC - DUNGENESS 'B' NUCLEAR POWER STATION

Dungeness, Kent, England.
1990 - 1997

TECHNICAL AUTHOR - Working on a Self-employed/Contractor basis.

Writing Maintenance Instructions/Manuals/Test Procedures and other documents for electrical engineers and craftsmen to use in their work at the power station. During this time, I initiated the use of photography in their maintenance instructions. The format was set by Nuclear Electric and specified in MCP002. I was also involved in the design of some of the document formats in use. The documents had to meet the requirements of the Nuclear Inspectorate and the QA requirements of Nuclear Electric Plc. I also assisted Nuclear Electric engineers in a variety of other engineering work.

MARLEY WATERPROOFING LTD.

near Canterbury, Kent, England.
1989 - 1990.

ENGINEERING MANAGER

Responsible for the engineering faculty of two adjacent factories.

I led a team of skilled personnel engaged in repair, maintenance and project engineering in a production environment. This included work in the fields of Production, Electrical, Mechanical, Hydraulic, Pneumatic and PLC Engineering on a wide range of plant, together with some building services work.

I negotiated supplies of goods, manpower and services with a wide range of suppliers and contractors; working within budget allocations and maintaining records of all transactions.

I also organised training courses for my staff. This included sending them on courses to specialist manufacturers, as well as arranging for training to be carried out 'In house'. For this purpose I established a training room, for the use of all departments within the two factories.

I was elected to the post of Secretary to the Aylesham Industrial Estate Association which was formed to provide representational services for all the traders and companies on the industrial estate where the two Marley factories are located.

TOWNSEND CAR FERRIES / P & O EUROPEAN FERRIES

Dover, Kent, England.
1984 - 1989

MARINE ELECTRICAL ENGINEER OFFICER

I was responsible to the Chief Engineer for the safe operation, maintenance and repair of all electrical equipment on board the vessel to which I was assigned, with the exception of wireless receivers, transmitters and radar. As such I was expected to work without any detailed supervision, relying on my own initiative and experience. This included being responsible for:
Preparation of motors, switchboards and starters for surveys carried out by surveyors of classification societies and/or Department of Trade and Industry Inspectors.

The modification or introduction of new equipment necessitating the redesign of circuits and installations, including drawing update and specification.

The control of spare gear and the periodical ordering of consumable goods/stores whilst working within a set budget.

Training of officer cadets in electrical theory and maintenance of electrical equipment, particularly highlighting the safety aspects.

ESSO PETROLEUM CO. LTD.

Fawley, Southampton, England
1977 1984

MARINE ELECTRICAL ENGINEER OFFICER

As section above.

SOUTH EASTERN ELECTRICITY BOARD

Whitfield, Dover, Kent, England
1974 1977

INSTRUCTOR TECHNICAL TRAINING CENTRE

Following the success I had enjoyed with Hoover Ltd., I was very pleased to enter into full time training in a purpose built centre offering training in a wide range of skills relevant to the business requirements of the SEEB. I soon developed a reputation for innovative teaching aids including the use of overhead projectors, tape/slide presentations and magnetic board models. I presented a wide range of subject matter to students in all age and ability ranges and was heavily involved in course design and in the setting of tests/exams of both academic and practical natures as well as report writing about my student’s capabilities.

HOOVER LTD.

Hookwood, Horley, Surrey, England
1972 1974

SERVICE ENGINEER

I was employed mainly to repair, under guarantee, their range of automatic domestic appliances in customers homes.

I also gained experience as an assistant to the Customer Relations Manager (often deputising for him), and was involved with the training of other service engineers.

Whilst working as a service engineer I identified a subject that many engineers found difficult to understand. Although this subject was taught in the training centre, I felt that improvements could be made in the training method. The training method needed to be portable and repeatable as well as being able to be shown by non technical persons to a wide range of student abilities having varying degrees of 'pre knowledge'. I designed a type of 'open learning' package which consisted of a series of colour slides which were shown in synchronism with a sound track recorded on an audio cassette tape. These were based on, and used in conjunction with, the relevant workshop technical manual. At the time (1973) this was an unusual and innovative way of presenting a technical subject. As a result I gave presentations right through the 'management tree' of Hoover Ltd. (Service Dept.) and was highly commended by their senior training management team, not only for the idea itself, but for the quality and creative approach I was able to give to the photography and the soundtrack. I was also involved in 1:1 training of service engineers 'in the field' after they had been through the training centre.

LEICESTER POLYTECHNIC

1971 - 1972

STUDENT

I left the MSWCo. to further my academic knowledge by attending Leicester Polytechnic as a full - time student.

MID - SUSSEX WATER COMPANY

Haywards Heath, Sussex, England

1970 - 1971 ELECTRICIAN
1965 - 1970 APPRENTICE ELECTRICIAN

Gained training and experience in industrial plant installation, maintenance and repair. This included: most types of AC motors and their starting equipment and control systems; Diesel powered alternators; Switchboards; Remote controls; Instrumentation and various types of fixed wiring systems.

OTHER COURSES:

Training methods. Two courses attended (in U.K.) - in addition to the IMO course previously mentioned.
General Tanker Familiarisation Course - Trainers Course (1997)
Shore-Based Fire Fighting (for Tanker Personnel) Course (1999)
Marine Evacuation System Course (1988).
MNTB Fire Fighting Course (1977)
Tanker Safety Course (1977)
GCE 'O' Level in English Language.

Nuclear Electric Ltd.

SAC Technographic Ltd.

IDESS Maritime Centre (Subic) Inc.

IPETQ - General Manager

IPETQ - Director of Training

Qatar Petroleum (1)

Qatar Petroleum (2)

ASET

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

DATE OF BIRTH: 25 June 1949

NATIONALITY: British

PASSPORT: British

OTHER INTERESTS:

Photography to professional standards. Photographs and written features published in a wide variety of magazines and other publications. Also skilled at using a video camera.

I also enjoy motoring, caravanning and travel; wildlife and the countryside; walking; classical music; reading; creative writing and computers - I have a range of computer skills using various software and a basic knowledge of their operating systems and how to configure PC's ready for operation using MS-DOS / Windows, I’m also very competent at desk-top publishing using Adobe In-Design and word processing using WordPerfect and MS-Word, and have a basic knowledge of other Windows based software such as Adobe Photoshop.

During my time in the Philippine Islands I have made a number of journey’s by bicycle, first from Manila to Lucena, then on to the Island of Marinduque, around which I travelled. I later did more cycling in Luzon. During these times I was able to learn something of the rural life of the Filipino people from which I wrote a book about my experiences (A Cockroach in my Cornflakes), which has been published (by myself) as an e-book.