Alex Nelson started working for the Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB), then a statutory training organisation funded by an employer levy, in 1977. He was a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) mechanic, planning to get some bus and coach technical experience for one year before starting his own repair business.
Today, Nelson is managing director of RTITB Ltd, leading a team of 24 staff members dedicated to improving training standards and safety among forklift and mechanical equipment users.
"I did not think I would still be with RTITB 31 years later, but I caught the training bug and have enjoyed the variety of work. Helping people get qualified is very rewarding."
Nelson took on the role of managing director in October 2004. Before that, he worked as a technical instructor, test author, skills tester, National Vocational Qualification chief verifier and several other management positions.
As managing director, Nelson starts his day at the office at 8am and finishes at 6pm. His work days are varied, interesting and challenging.
"No two days are the same. It's so varied from strategy and tactics to helping our many clients with technical queries. That's in addition to day-to-day stuff like making the coffee if needed as the team is always busy dealing with the 580 sites we accredit or validating, registering and certificating the 60,000 operators trained by our accredited organisations each year.
"There's no room for prima donnas," Nelson jokes.
The queries RTITB receive each day are wide-ranging, from what is needed to use a forklift on the road to what operator training complies with health and safety legislation or to providing expert witness services to the law courts.
Nelson is currently busy preparing for a national forklift competition, the first to be organised by an accrediting body. RTITB's co-organiser is Sumo Glove, the manufacturer of a patented polyurathane fork attachment, based in the UK.
"It will be great to see operators showcasing their skills and getting some well-earned recognition and reward," he says.
A football fan, Nelson says he is inspired by the many people he has met who strive to improve themselves and make a difference in others' lives.
"Sporting achievements also inspire me as champions always dedicate themselves totally to reach their goals and overcome any barrier they face."
He lives by his personal maxim that "without standards you're dead in the water so measure what you do and strive to improve".
Alex Nelson enjoys taking his wife, Jayne, and four children out to sample the local dining scene. The Nelsons are adventurous in their dining-out experiences but a perennial favourite is curry. Nelson and his wife spend their free time transporting his youngest son and daughter to football matches and athletics.
RTITB is recognised by the UK Health and Safety Executive and Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland. It accredits organisations delivering forklift operator training, forklift instructor training , LGV driver training, LGV instructor/assessor training and digital tachograph training for drivers, managers and trainers, and bespoke courses for specialised machinery.