As part of our case study series, we spoke to Jon Amour from Hornbill Industrial Training (HIT), who has over a decade of experience as a CompEx instructor and assessor, to find out more about his career and the highlights that he’s had in the role.
What is your experience in the industry?
I have extensive industry experience in diverse sectors, including oil and gas, electrical utility, manufacturing, construction, and petrochemical. In my career, I have worked in small pumping stations for the water industry, all the way to large refineries, with various companies including Royal Mint, Honda, BMW, Aston Martin, Dragon LNG, Centrica, Huntsman, and Thames Water to name but a few.
What made you want to become a CompEx instructor/assessor? How long have you been one?
With my position as an ATEX Department Manager, I’m responsible for overseeing training for risk identification and management of risk in potentially explosive atmospheres, this includes customer enquiries, quotations, planning and running installations or inspection projects. As Hornbill provides CompEx training and certification, it was discussed that with my knowledge it was possible for me to become an instructor and assessor. This move would provide our company with further customer trust and confidence as I would be able to teach CompEx qualifications as well as oversee the ATEX department.
I became accredited as a CompEx instructor and assessor in 2013, beginning with Gas and Vapours (Ex01 – Ex04), then adding Dust (Ex05 – Ex06), Mechanical (Ex11) and finally Responsible Person (Ex14) in the last few years. As such, my role has also expanded to include technical support to the Installation and Inspection departments.
What geographical areas do you operate in?
Our training centre is based in Neath, on the outskirts of Swansea. However, candidates travel from all over the UK to attend our courses. In my role at Hornbill, I have also had the privilege of travelling to deliver CompEx qualifications in Muscat, Oman.
What are the most popular qualifications in your opinion? And why do you think they are the most sought-after?
At Hornbill, the most popular course we deliver is the CompEx Gas and Vapours (Ex01 – Ex04). We run this at least every month, sometimes more, depending on demand. In recent years, we have noticed a large increase in Foundation (ExF) qualification, due to IEC 60079 – 44. We have also seen the Dust (Ex05 – Ex06) and Mechanical (Ex11) qualifications increasing in popularity.
What would you say are the most rewarding parts of your role?
I find it rewarding to see when candidates develop an understanding. I’m also encouraged by the idea that practitioners leave us with more knowledge, and as a safer, more competent professional than when they first walked through our doors.
What are your personal highlights or successes that you’ve experienced in the role?
In my career, a personal highlight of mine is the opportunity to travel abroad delivering CompEx courses. Additionally, I enjoyed my experience working with OCU Group, one of the industry-leading utilities and energy design, planning, project management and installation companies in the UK, to provide technical support to several of its departments.
What would you say to someone looking to become a new CompEx instructor and assessor?
My advice to anyone looking to become a new CompEx instructor and assessor is to give it a go. As an industry we need new candidates to come forward to fill the roles of senior experienced instructors and ensure a continued line of competent trainers and professionals.
What would you say are the main factors that set CompEx apart from other accreditation bodies?
CompEx certifications are internationally recognised. Also, as the majority of CompEx qualifications contain a combination of theoretical and practical elements, this offers a good balance of methods to reflect on the learnings that are covered.
Find out more about becoming a CompEx instructor and assessor here.