Whilst studying A-levels, Dean discovered that he could earn whilst he learnt by applying for an Engineering Apprenticeship. He would receive on-the-job training in a profession of interest, whilst getting qualified and being also being paid.
Dean joined COBA as an Electrical Apprentice in Fleckney in 1996. In only his second year, Dean was awarded Apprentice of the Year by his training centre LETG, which was presented by the well-known Rosemary Conley, in the presence of two of COBA leaders of the time, Fred Wills and Tony Cooke. Thanks to his apprenticeship with COBA, Dean holds both ONC and HNC qualifications in electrical engineering.
On his promotion from Electrical Maintenance Engineer to Control Systems Engineer, Dean said the following.
I have always been involved in machine building, refurbishment, design and specification from an electrical angle. In my previous maintenance role I was usually doing breakdowns, electrical installations, running the maintenance system and spares as well as the occasional machine build. Moving to a Controls System Engineer means that I still get involved and assist in some breakdowns, but my job is more focused on the design, spec and build of new machines for new processes for the COBA Group.
