Meet our Trainers

Every course at AJ's Training is delivered by trainers who've spent their careers on the tools before they ever stood in front of a classroom. Between them, our trainers and assessors bring over 90 years of hands-on experience in highways, fencing, vehicle restraint systems (VRS) and street works — the same real-world grounding that's helped us train over 13,000 learners to a 99% pass rate, with zero EQA actions across every awarding body we work with. Get to know the people you'll be learning from below.

Chris Sanders

—  Lead Trainer / Assessor

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Bio

Chris brings 40 years of industry experience to AJ's Training, including 35 years working in telecommunications across copper, fibre and civils — progressing from operative through to supervisor, manager and trainer along the way. He's a City & Guilds qualified electrician and a fully qualified Level 3 trainer and assessor, and he mentors AJ's newer trainers alongside his own teaching. Chris delivers the full NRSWA suite, the Level 1 Award in Health and Safety, EUSR Category 1 (HSG47) and Category 2 (safe excavations), Cat & Genny, Abrasive Wheels, Manual Handling, Strimmer, Power Tools, RPE face fit testing, and overhead and underground telecommunications training — keeping his own qualifications current across everything he teaches.

Fun fact

A lifelong football and boxing fan — these days he's happy to watch rather than take part — and, above all, a family man through and through.

Steve Duckworth

—  Training Officer

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Bio

Steve has 35 years' experience in the highways and fencing industry, working his way up from general labourer to installer, lead installer and supervisor before moving into training to pass that experience on. He's Lantra approved and holds a TQUK Level 3 in Assessing Vocational Achievement, a Level 3 NVQ in Fencing and SSSTS, alongside a Level 2 in Leadership & Team Skills. Steve delivers AJ's vehicle restraint systems training — including VRS Foundation and Installer, MegaRail, SN2, Phoenix, Sicuro and SNH4A parapet systems, NPSBS, Barrier Master and post driver training — as well as the Level 1 Award in Health and Safety, plant NVQs, the Level 3 NVQ in Occupational Working Supervisor, and the Fencing Supervisor, VRS and General Fencing Level 2/3 diplomas that support learners progressing into supervisory roles.

Fun fact

An avid music fan who catches one or two indie, punk or rock gigs a month.

Stuart Pocock

—  Apprenticeship Manager, Designated Safeguarding Lead & Lead IQA

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Bio

With over 15 years across construction and highways — spanning traffic management, fencing and VRS, street lighting, drainage, bridge deck refurbishment and highway resurfacing — Stuart moved into training after a change in personal circumstances took him away from night work, and hasn't looked back since. He now leads AJ's apprenticeship programmes end to end, acts as Designated Safeguarding Lead for learner welfare, and oversees assessment quality across the business as Lead IQA. Stuart holds a Level 3 Award in Education and Training, CAVA, IQA Level 4, a Diploma in Psychology, Level 3 DSL, and assesses the Level 6 NVQ in Construction Site Management, alongside a wide range of safeguarding, SEND and wellbeing training. He teaches across vehicle restraint systems (including Deltabloc), general fencing, plant and equipment courses, health and safety, street works (NRSWA) and EUSR.

Fun fact

A self-confessed hoarder of useless facts — ask him how many bones are in a giraffe's neck (it's seven) and he'll have another one ready before you've finished asking.

Garry Dickinson

—  Trainer / Fencing Instructor

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Bio

Garry brings 27 years of experience in the construction and highways industry to AJ's Training, having started as a labourer on major motorway schemes in 1999 before progressing through plant operator and Lead VRS Installer/Site Supervisor roles. He spent the last decade as a Contracts Manager, delivering major projects around the UK for many of the country's leading contractors, before recently joining AJ's Training to help deliver apprenticeships and training courses. Garry holds EUSR Categories 1 and 2 (safe digging), an NVQ Level 5 in Site Management, and is a qualified MegaRail, Vetex and Flexbeam installer, alongside Saferoad and Vetex parapet installer qualifications. He delivers VRS Installer training and supports General Fencing/VRS Installer apprenticeships, as well as the Level 1 Award in Health and Safety.

Fun fact

An enthusiastic hiker who spends his spare time on Lake District fells and coastal walks with his family and dogs.