We caught up with Greig Douglas, RelyOn Nutec’s Competence Specialist, recently to talk a bit more about competence at RelyOn Nutec and how he came to join our specialist team.

Tell us a bit about your background and how you got where you are today?

I studied Sports and Exercise Science at Robert Gordon’s University and then did sports coaching before I secured the role of Assistant Survival Instructor at RelyOn Nutec (formerly Falck) back in 2010.

I progressed through to Instructor level and as part of that position I had to gain my Assessor Qualification (SQA L&D9DI). This inspired my interest in competence so when the company was looking to build the department in 2017, I applied and secured the role.

I have also been RelyOn Nutec’s Representative for Employee Safety, carrying out monthly safety inspections and being the line of communication between employees and management

What do you like best about working for RelyOn Nutec?

I like the variation of my job which can include anything from training Assessors & Verifiers, reviewing portfolios and product development, to managing our accreditations and helping with internal staff development. The variety keeps things fresh and interesting.

What does a normal day at RelyOn Nutec entail?

My work varies from day to day but recently I’ve been doing a lot of competence standards development as well as training delivery. In response to the pandemic, we’ve digitalised our training courses and now deliver SQA, OPITO and company bespoke Assessor and Verifier training virtually to clients across the world. While operating from home during lockdown, I’ve trained delegates from Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Canada and Denmark. 

Do you have any interesting/unusual stories you could share with us?

I once delivered a 2 day Assessor course offshore while hiding out in the drillers tea shack with the Senior Toolpusher who was trying to avoid constant interruptions. It was definitely the strangest classroom I’ve ever used but it demonstrates that RelyOn Nutec instructors can adapt our training delivery to all kinds of circumstances.

I can also personally vouch for how sick the life raft can make a person, having undertaken a sea survival drill at our marine training facility in Peterhead and reacted particularly badly to the motion of the life raft. Not my favourite day at work but I can laugh about it now.

Tell us a bit about what you get up to outside of work?

My wife and I are expecting our first child at the beginning of March so that is very exciting and we‘ve been busy preparing for its arrival. 

I have also done triathlon for the last few years and just love health and fitness in general, whether this be running or going out for a walk with my wife and our dog. I’m a big football fan and support Aberdeen and Manchester United, and am looking forward to supporting Scotland at the European Championships.