Tricia's Journey: From QA Trainee to Specialist at OPITO

Tricia joined OPITO in 2020 as Quality Assurance Support before undertaking a Trainee role. Having recently qualified, she is now a Quality Assurance Specialist.

Read about Tricia’s journey below to see how her dedication and the collaborative spirit within OPITO contributes to developing a safe, skilled and competent workforce.

Can you share a bit about your background and when you started at OPITO?

I joined OPITO back in 2020 as Quality Assurance Support within the Quality Assurance team. It was during the COVID pandemic, and the site visit model had moved to full remote delivery due to global travel restrictions. This was a significant change for OPITO and our global network of training centres. I worked closely with my colleagues and the training centres to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic, which allowed me to build a solid foundation of knowledge for the QA process. My role involved helping new centres apply for approvals and assisting current centres in gaining new approvals. I also supported centres in their approval process, assisting with queries or any areas of concern to be closed out following ongoing site visits conducted. This was a fantastic way to learn the fundamentals of the processes and OPITO requirements to maintain our high standards of quality assurance.

How did your role evolve after your initial two years at OPITO?

After developing in the QA support role, I transitioned into the role of Trainee Quality Assurance Specialist. This role allowed for more direct engagement with the training centres and the opportunity to build stronger relationships. With the pandemic subsiding, it meant we could visit training centres in person again, which was a fantastic experience. It was exciting to witness the implementation of our quality assurance processes first-hand after working virtually since 2020.

How did your responsibilities change in your new role as Trainee Quality Assurance Specialist?

I had a lot more responsibilities in my new role, which included conducting site visits under direction to ensure training centres were delivering OPITO’s Products as per requirements, safely and in an engaging manner, to ensure a safe and competent workforce.

As a trainee, I shadowed all the QA Specialists to gain an in-depth understanding of the role. This learning process allowed me to develop the fundamentals of conducting visits and gain the essential knowledge for my new role.

How important was collaboration during your time as a Trainee QA Specialist?

Collaboration is one of OPITO’s core values, and it was especially evident during my time as a Trainee QA Specialist. The team were always available to answer questions and offer support, both on-site and remotely. This teamwork was crucial for my professional growth, providing me with guidance and shared knowledge that significantly contributed to my learning, and still contributes to my development today.

You have recently qualified as a QA Specialist. What's next for you?

I’m excited to continue my development and to keep engaging and building strong relationships with training centres. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experiences with new Trainee QA Specialists in future, helping to assist and guide them through their journey just as I was guided during mine. It feels like a full-circle moment and I’m excited to contribute to the future growth and success of the team.

At OPITO, we value our employees. As a gold accredited Investors in People organisation, we have a strong commitment to our employees, valuing their contributions while focusing on ensuring professional growth and development. We offer a wide and exciting range of opportunities within a supportive working environment.

If you are interested in joining the OPITO team, view our latest vacancies here.