My name is Leon, and I'm a Lead Google Trainer at Quadmark.
I fell into this role. I was at Aston University studying Human Biology with the aim of being a Biology Teacher in a secondary school. While studying, I was doing promo work to pay the bills. I did a promo job for Google when Chromebooks first launched in 2011, and long story short, I was offered a job as a trainer after 3 months, but it was full time, so I had to leave Uni. After much deliberation, I decided I could always go back to Uni to study if I needed to, but might not get an opportunity to work with Google and travel again, so I took the job! 5 years later, I was transferred across from the agency I was working for to Quadmark, as Google wanted everything to do with training under one roof, and the rest is history!
What has been the single most important thing you learnt so far in your job?
The most important thing I've learnt so far in this job is that there is strength in numbers. We have a fantastic team, and too often (especially early on in the role) I would try and take on too much by myself instead of asking for help to perform tasks. We have an excellent team with a wide range of skills and everybody is always willing to help.
What would a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?
There's not really such a thing as a 'normal' day for a trainer. Currently, it would probably involve a technical review of a new product, and maybe filming a training video either at home or in a studio/airbnb. Or, we've just started face-to-face roadshows again, so at the moment, we're travelling up and down the country and delivering training to EE and BT call centre agents.
How important is diversity/inclusion/accessibility to you and what is Quadmark doing in this space?
It's hugely important, and should be to everybody. At Quadmark, we've made big strides in this area. There are now groups in Google Chat, as well as independent delegations that can get together and talk about things. We have had a DE&I professional come in to deliver training to the team, and we continue to celebrate days/months from different cultures, delivering Quadcasts and also having updates in the CAARE calendar. Hopefully things will continue to improve.