JUNE/JULY 2013 | £5.25 - Wind Energy Network

successful Women in Windsuccessful Women in WindKaren ShepherdGeneral Manager, HOTA (HumbersideOffshore Training Association Ltd)LocationHullTime at Company22 years 10 monthsPositionGeneral Manager – appointed 1st January2013Career OverviewI started at HOTA as a courseadministrator at the age of 20 as one of 2members of permanent staff, the job wasmy second ever, the first being YTS atHouse of Fraser Group.At the time HOTA was located in HullCity Centre in small rented offices andall training was provided by third parties– Hull College and Humberside Fire &Rescue Service.Company expansionAfter just two years I moved with thecompany to Malmo Road, Sutton FieldsIndustrial Estate as HOTA expanded andbuilding began for its own dedicatedsurvival training centre.Promotion and furthereducationI was promoted to Office Manager andconvinced by my General Manager,Linda Ellis to study for a Higher NationalCertificate (HNC) at Beverley College.I never thought I would go back intoeducation but I also never envisaged theinfluence of a strong minded boss!And again!After my HNC andmuch persuasion Iwent on to take adegree in BusinessManagement at HullUniversity BusinessSchool in 2002,graduating in 2005and becomingHOTA’s BusinessDevelopmentManager shortlyafter.BusinessdevelopmentMy responsibilitiesdeveloped as HOTA expanded and Ibecame actively involved in businessplanning adding further training to HOTA’sCourse portfolio including EmergencyResponse and Electrical alongside Lindaand specialist instructors.When Linda made the decision to retireI was appointed General Manager byHOTA’s Board of Trustees and officiallybegan the role January 2013.New appointmentLinda was not only my boss but also myfriend and most importantly my mentor;her’s are definitely big shoes to fill!I worked with Linda for over 22 years so Iwill miss her dearly however, I know she willalways be available to offer advice wheneverI need it, especially as since retiring she hasjoined HOTA’s Board of Trustees.Planned focusMy plans for the first year as GeneralManager are focused on the furtherexpansion of HOTA’s three sites in Hull,this will include the renovation of anadditional unit at Malmo Road.Although training has been provided tomany companies operating in Renewablesincluding Onshore and Offshore Wind -2013 will see Renewables Training addedas a major training stream for HOTAalongside Offshore, Maritime, Health &Safety and others.Career HighlightBeing a part of an intimate team withina small company which has continuedto grow dramatically over the years isdefinitely the highlight of my career andlong may it continue.Our customersHOTA’s customers range from individualswho are brand new to a specific industrythat have never been to Hull before letalone HOTA – for example a magiciangoing to work on a cruise ship in theCaribbean to large multinational companieswho have used us since day dot.The variety day to day is definitely myfavourite part of the job which is apparentthrough the type of training provided andalso the customers we deal with. AlthoughI am now officially HOTA’s longest servingemployee I am still learning new thingswhich I love as it keeps me on my toes!RelationshipsOver the years I have built some greatrelationships with customers andcolleagues some of which I have beenworking alongside for more years than I’msure any of us would care to remember.Typical dayOn a typical day I am in the office from7.30, and although I am an early riser thefirst thing I do has to be to make a cup ofcoffee.After checking my emails I like to havea catch up with my team to check thatall is well, as from 9 a.m. my time is notmy own and my office can be likened toPiccadilly Circus, dealing with anything frompersonnel issues and planning submissionsto signing off on my ‘Successful Womenin Wind’ profile and rubbing shoulders withcelebrities including HRH Princess Anneand David Jason.Free timeI am very passionate about my holidaysmy latest being my honeymoon to CapeVerde in April. Having recently married(December 2012) I am still enjoyinganything that does not involve weddingplanning.Although I will strongly deny it I am adefinite shopaholic but if my husband asks- I do need everything I buy!Karen ShepherdHOTAwww.hota.orgAmy GibsonDescribe what you doI am vessel crew on Eden Rose, one ofTidal Transit Ltd’s Windfarm PTVs. Mytypical day starts with daily checks suchas engine oil and coolant levels, first aidequipment, fender condition and generalsecurity and cleanliness.From then it’s my job to take care of ourpassengers for the day, give them a safetybrief, make bacon butties and cups of tea,transfer them onto the turbines and helpto crane up their equipment.During the day it is my responsibility toensure that transfers take place safely andwithout incident. I ask the passengersfor their turbine numbers for the day andwhich order they would like to work in, thisinformation is communicated to the skipper.Once our day’s work is done,we clean the vessel and preparepaperwork for the following day.We also perform regular safetydrills and checks on all areas ofthe vessel to ensure that we stayon the ball and are confidentto deal with any situation thatmay arise in a safe and efficientmanner. We check all safetyequipment and PPE on a regularbasis. We also perform basicmaintenance tasks as required.A little about your backgroundI grew up in North Wales and havealways been an outdoorsy type! Sinceleaving school, my career path has mainlyrevolved around horses, racing andhunting, evolving into equine sales.I have worked a few different salespositions and in recent years movedinto more managerial roles with a lot ofresponsibility. Before starting at Tidal TransitI had very limited maritime experience and ithas been a huge learning curve!How do you see your future?I can’t even imagine what I did beforethis! I would find it very difficult to go backto the 9-5 life. I don’t like to plan too farahead as I’m quite impulsive, having saidthat, when I make up my mind, I go for it!Right now, I am concentrating on gainingas many qualifications as I can relating tothe wind farm vessel industry. The onlything I can’t do a course for is experience,so I plan to get as much in as possible andbe as useful a team member as I can be.If you had a soapbox – whatwould you say?Go for it! For anyone wanting to get intothis industry, especially women, just giveit a go. It is a great, varied and often veryrewarding job. More needs to be done toencourage women into the industry wherepossible. I would like to see more fundingfor training in this industry and availabilityof government supported apprenticeshipsfor newcomers. There is a huge range ofskills to be learnt out here!Your opinion on the role ofwomen in the industry?This is one of those industries wherewomen on staff is a relatively newdevelopment. For that reason, it cansometimes feel like you have somethingto prove to defend your right to a positionover a male colleague. Thankfully, thisis rare in our modern society. TidalTransit currently employ two female crewmembers andwe both feel likean equal partof the team!I believe thatcompanieswho are a bitmore set in theirways, shouldconsider femaleapplicantsexactly as theywould a male.I feel that oneof the mainreasons that there aren’t more womendoing this job, is that they didn’t knowthey could do it. It is still a man’s worldoffshore, but that does not mean thaten equal opportunity is not available. Afemale crew member or skipper can be asvaluable as their male counterpart, giventhe chance.And a few more…What brought you into theindustry?I was initially offered my current positionby Adam Wright, one of Tidal Transit’sDirectors who I have known for 10 yearsand met whilst working in the kitchen ofa pub on the Norfolk Coast where Adamwas head chef.I came from an equestrian and cateringbackground with very little maritimeexperience. Adam said I would love thejob and it turns out he was right!Who is your hero and why?My Dad. He has always worked hard to giveus the best of everything and has alwaysbeen there to help in moments of need.He’s always ready with some sound adviceand support and has never been remotelyshocked by any of my career decisions!What annoys you the most?Cruelty to animals.What was your best holiday?Visiting my family in the French Alps,especially in the winter when I can ski withmy little brother and walk in the snowymountains.Who would you not like to be?Any celebrity, I value my privacy and can’tstand gossip!What is the best advice you haveever been given?Change what you can and accept whatyou can’t.What is your favourite smell?Freshly baked bread!What do you do in your spare time?Bake cakes, walk around the gorgeousNorfolk countryside, read, and spend timewith my friends and family.What/who is your favouriterecord/CD/artist/music?I love my iPod! I have such a varied tasteand it carries over 2,000 songs. There’sone to suit every mood.What 3 words would bestdescribe youDetermined, loyal and organised.What prominent person wouldyou like to meet?I was once told that you should nevermeet your heroes as you may end updisappointed.Where would you like to be 10years from now?Like most women, I would like to besettled and secure with a family of myown. If that doesn’t happen, I’d like to bethe best I can be in my chosen career.Amy GibsonTidal Transitwww.tidal-transit.comClick to view more info= Click to view video20 www.windenergynetwork.co.ukwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk 21