Transitioning into instructor at CNet: Dale Thompson’s story

I’ve spent a significant chunk of my life in service, having joined the Army in 1997. Throughout the years, I always knew I’d eventually have a job on the ‘outside’ and, looking ahead to my potential civvy career at various points in life, I recognised there would be substantial differences.

I served in the Royal Corps of Signals and spent the initial 15 years of my service training to be, and working as, an electrician. My primary workplace during that time was in the field, carrying out the equivalent of what in the civilian industry would be something along the lines of event power. Imagine big generators at festivals, that type of thing, except my ‘festivals’ were in various deployments across the globe, including Afghanistan, Cyprus, Kenya and Canada.

In 2012, I started working alongside the infrastructure lads on operations. I dealt with the power aspect of the data centre while they handled the installation side. From there, I soon progressed to working on telecoms infrastructure – both fibre and copper. The Royal School of Signals had adopted CNet Training’s Certified Network Cable Installer (CNCI®) programme in 2017 as the official certification for its installation technicians, so I completed both the CNCI® Fibre Optic Cabling and CNCI® Copper Cabling qualifications in Blandford as part of my military training. The programmes were a good mix of technical knowledge and practical activities, and they gave me confidence and reassurance at the time, knowing that the qualifications and certifications I gained are recognised throughout the world, both in the military and out.

My post-Service plan was to join the reserves and work as an installation technician – I’d thought it through and knew I’d get enjoyment from it. Despite having been instructing so long I’d never actually thought of going into that in resettlement, and already being CNCI qualified, I’d always banked on doing the installation side. I’ve known Clint Sherratt (CNet Head of Technical Development) and Craig Larkins (Technical Developer) for years, and when they suggested I might be a good fit for the instructor role at CNet, I jumped at it. I’d had some past interaction with the company, having completed the CNCI as part of my military career, and I’d also met Olly Day (CNet’s Resettlement Adviser) a few times at Forces careers fairs and had some positive conversations with him.

One month into the role, I’m really enjoying it. As expected, it’s completely different to what I’m used to, but from day one, I was welcomed with open arms. The CNet instructor team are all experts in their field, but they’re also enthusiastic about sharing that knowledge, which is brilliant for learners but also for me joining the ranks! It’s been reassuring that as soon I arrived, there was a plan in place for me that so far has included the Train-the-Trainer course, shadowing other instructors and teach-backs. Nobody knows everything after all,and CNet ensures that all of its instructors undertake a rigorous process to ensure their knowledge of each subject and that the quality of delivery meets its expectations. I now understand why CNet’s instructors are world-renowned and are often called on to join associations and committees that define how that industry will operate in the future.

Once I’ve completed CNet’s instructor training process, I will be delivering the Certified Network Cable Installer (CNCI®) programme that I undertook myself while in the Sigs, and I can’t wait to get started. The CNCI® is the military and industry preferred certification for network cable installation, and I never dreamed for one moment that I’d be delivering it when I completed the programme myself. Having been in the position of learner and then exercising the knowledge that I’d gained in my career, I’m excited and honoured to be able to pass on that knowledge and experience to benefit future learners.

Dale’s key takeaways

1. Use your ELCs – they’re there to be spent. It sounds obvious but a lot of people just don’t use the money and end up losing the funding.
2. Start planning from day one. Even if you don’t know what your end goal is, use the time to work out what you do and don’t enjoy, and give it time to fall into place.
3. Use your contacts and talk to people. They may well suggest something that seems obvious to them, which might not have occurred to you.
4. The Army may call it CPD, but I’ve always called it resettlement. Even though you’re there to do a job, you’re still there to progress yourself – don’t forget that.

Click here to find out about CNet’s resettlement programme.