Looking back at his own career it certainly feels like the time has flown for NETA Training’s director Sean Johnston.
A plumber by trade, starting out as an apprentice himself, his career may have begun on the tools, but it is upskilling the next generation where he truly found his passion.
Now preparing to take the first steps into retirement, Sean can look back with pride at time well served helping lower the ladders for others.
“It is hard to believe it’s been 40 years since I started as an apprentice,” he said.
“It really has gone by in the blink of an eye, even more so since working in training and education.”
Back then 16-year-old apprentice Sean could never have imagined he would end up the director of a specialist training provider and be forever etched into its long history of meeting engineering training needs.
In fact, it isn’t even where he saw himself when he joined NETA as commercial training manager in summer 2019.
But fate stepped in, as it so often does, and for the last three years he has found himself in the NETA driving seat.
While it certainly wasn’t the plan, he wouldn’t have it any different.
“Once I was in that seat it was a proud moment,” he said. “It is really nice to lead a team of professional people who deliver every time.”
He calls it “the NETA family” and along with its students, delegates and the multitude of employers that they work with, he says NETA plays an important part in the engineering community.
Over the last three years he has taken pride in leading the team through a truly transitional period. A lot has been achieved and delivered, not least the opening of the NETA-led £4.7m All Access Academy in Redcar and that Outstanding rating from Ofsted.
“NETA was a key part of that inspection and we came out magnifico!” said Sean. He admits it means a lot.
“I am proud to have worked here, and proud of what we have achieved,” he said.
And, despite what the word “retirement” suggests, he hasn’t finished yet.
The groundwork is in place on the brand new £14.7m NETA Training facility in Thornaby, with Town Deal funding through the Thornaby Town Deal Board and funding from Department for Education and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Sean will continue to play a part, working with Etc. and NETA colleagues to see the project through to completion.
He admits that keeping his toe in the water on a project of this scale will help ease the step away.
Originally from Cumbria and having worked all over the world, Sean remains passionate about Teesside and its future.
He said: “I came to Teesside in 1989 to go to Teesside University and I forgot to go home.”
He met his wife and raised his family living in Stockton (mainly).
Now with two grown up daughters, a nine-year-old granddaughter, and the dogs, there’s going to be plenty to keep him busy.
Having relocated back to his roots in Cumbria, he loves to cycle and to travel, and there’s going to be more time for all of that. The first holiday, to Vietnam and Cambodia, is already booked.
After 29 years working in training and further education, he said: “I think I have remained jolly and smiley throughout. It keeps you young working with young people.”
As for leaving behind the NETA family, he said: “I don’t think it has dawned on me yet.
“I might shed a tear, but I am looking forward to the next chapter.”
