Meet the Team - Technical Manager, Gordon Andrew

Our first Meet the Team profile of 2022 features Gordon Andrew, Technical Manager at RelyOn Nutec. With over 3 decades of experience in the energy sector, 15 of those spent in technical training, Gordon certainly knows what he’s talking about, and is proving to be invaluable to the organisation as we increase our technical training capabilities.

Having joined us in August 2021, Gordon has had to hit the ground running (literally). He is responsible for our technical department and has played a key role in getting the GWO Basic Technical Training (BTT) ready for delivery for a significant project in a very short timeframe.

Gordon has risen to the challenge, and in early January 2022, we welcomed our very first GWO BTT delegates onto course. And we even managed to grab a few minutes with him to find out a bit more about his background and what he’s been up to so far:

Tell us about what you did before you joined RelyOn Nutec

I was a time served optical technician in Glasgow before moving north and joining the oil/gas industry in 1980. I secured a role with Halliburton in the Production Well Testing Department and spent 26 years with them working all over the globe, mostly in Europe and then in the Middle East where I stayed for almost 20 years.

I left there in 2006 and spent a brief spell contracting as a Technical Instructor with a local agency before joining a training organisation in 2007 as a Technical Instructor and laterally Team Leader. I was there for 14 years before leaving in July 2021.

What can you tell us about your role at RelyOn Nutec

My job role at RelyOn Nutec is Technical Training Manager. My key responsibility is to grow a technical department focusing largely on training/assessment for the renewable energy sector. There’s lots of lessons that this fledgling industry can learn from oil and gas and it’s my job to take the knowledge and experience that I’ve gained over the years working in the sector and apply it to the services that we deliver at RelyOn Nutec.

I’m part of the operations team in the UK and I work closely with my counterparts in our other European training centres, sharing information and best practise to ensure that our service delivery is consistent, impactful and world-leading.

A day at RelyOn Nutec always presents a challenge, particularly with the recent introduction of wind energy technical training. Keeping busy is key to making the day pass quickly and I’m pleased to be part of a friendly and helpful team, operating in a happy ambient atmosphere. 

Can you share any information about a key project that you’ve worked on?

My key project since starting at RelyOn Nutec is GWO Basic Technical Training (BTT) for wind sector technicians. Setting up the technical workshop for the BTT equipment was rather challenging as it had to be completed within a very tight timeframe. I also had to ensure operational readiness of the bespoke electrical, mechanical and hydraulic training modules prior to course commencement. It was really rewarding to get it finalised and ready for training delivery on time.

In early January 2022, we launched the ETZ project which sees us deliver BTT to almost 200 delegates over a 3-month period. This is a blended delivery course, and I have worked with our digital team to provide technical input for the online elements of the course. Going forward, I am responsible for the delivery of all practical training.

We’ve launched the BTT course in Aberdeen and I look forward to the challenge of rolling it out to our other UK training facilities in Teesside and Great Yarmouth.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

I’m approaching the end of my working life and I never thought that in my wildest dreams I would be facing a career change at my age. But everyday I’m learning something new. The future for the wind industry is exponential, it is going places and will be with us for a very long time. It’s great to be part of this exciting journey.

After 41 years, it will be hard to withdraw from the energy sector, but if I can leave with the knowledge that I have imparted my experience over the years, I’ll be satisfied with a career well spent.

Finally tell us a bit about you personally

My wife and I celebrated our Ruby wedding last year and I recently became an elder in our local Church which is another personal challenge.

I enjoy a few hobbies:- Music, Art and DIY. I am a part time musician and I work with musical theatre groups around Angus and Tayside in the orchestra pit playing drums/percussion. One of my favourite shows that I have played in was Jesus Christ Superstar. I also play in a function band and in our Church band.

When I retire in a few years, I would like to take up my art hobby again and plan to spend lots of time with our lovely grandchildren.