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Some will recognise the name as being the second half of the RAF motto, “Per ardua ad astra” – literally ‘Through difficulties to the stars”.  Given that you have to call yourself something, I chose something to do with the RAF, reflecting that once upon a time, I was ‘something to do with the RAF!’

The information on this page contains a lot of personal detail which many may find boring and if that includes you, please skip to the link to see my CV and the other information provided to inform.  If you are interested in my background and experience, please click on Overview below:

Overview
CV
Professional memberships
Other activities

This page details how I became a trainer – if easily bored, please jump to the CV information below! CV

My formal entry into the role of trainer began in 1983 when I was posted to No 6 Flying Training School at RAF Finningley near Doncaster.  After the RAF’s two week ‘Train the Trainer’ course, I was let loose on the unsuspecting young men who were keen to serve as aircrew in the RAF.  I had by then served nine years as an Air Electronics Operator on the Nimrod Maritime Patrol Aircraft as a Communications, RADAR and Electronic Warfare specialist and had asked to be transferred to training duties.  My role initially was to train the ab-initio aircrew in the air but later I moved one stage earlier in the process and trained them prior to the airborne phase of their course.  After eight successful and very enjoyable years in the training role, I decided to stay rather than return to operational flying and was commissioned as an Admin Education Officer in 1990.  Following a year off to complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, I was posted to RAF Cosford where initially, I taught advanced electronics to apprentice technicians before moving into training management and training resourcing roles.

In 1995 I was posted to the RAF’s internal training consultancy organisation where my role was twofold: firstly the delivery of training to the RAF’s training designers and training managers and secondly to fulfil the requirement to meet the needs of any training element within the RAF that was experiencing problems that our specific expertise could assist with.  This trouble-shooting role was perhaps the most interesting training role within the RAF – it was certainly challenging and very satisfying.  Having enjoyed my two years at RAF Halton, I returned to RAF Cosford in 1997 and the following spring was promoted to Squadron Leader and tasked to lead the project to introduce distance learning into aircraft engineering training.  That project was achieved under budget, ahead of schedule and to a quality that saw RAF Cosford win a Quality Award from the British Association for Open Learning.

Whilst in this post, I was also tasked with creating what became Personal Development Squadron at the RAF’s largest training unit expanding my role to include oversight of all aspects of personal development for military and civilian personnel.  It was during this phase of my service that I developed the training programme for ‘Leadership, Team and Personal Development’ using the Strength Deployment Inventory about which you can read more elsewhere.  This programme saw me co-designing and co-delivering a series of 30 three day courses for both military and civilian personnel at RAF Cosford that resulted in significant improvements in the unit’s overall performance as measured by the European Foundation for Quality Management Assessment process process.

In July 2001 after almost 28 years in uniform, I retired from the RAF to establish myself as a freelance trainer – a move that I have never regretted for a moment! While I had enjoyed a marvellous career in the RAF, the time was right for me to leave and seek the challenges of being a civilian trainer.

Since venturing forth into ‘civvie street’, I have enjoyed working with a diverse range of organisations and an even more diverse range of people.  My clients have been individuals, organisations large and small, public and private sector, at home and in the Gulf States.  Please see the ‘Clients’ page for more information.

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Paul Stephen Brennan MA BA PGCE PGCertODE Chartered MCIPD MCMI               Profile Formerly a senior officer in the Royal Air Force, Paul is a highly skilled, competent and versatile freelance training practitioner and personal development facilitator, with proven team leading, problem solving and Project Management skills.  An experienced HR manager with knowledge of personnel selection and recruitment processes.  An exceptional trainer who can deliver presentations to a wide range of audiences from basic to advanced levels. Paul’s professional standing has been recognised by his election to the Executive Board of Directors of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Key Skill Areas Interpersonal skills Leadership Team Working/Building  Project  Management  Problem solving Presentation skills NVQs Change management Staff management Personnel selection Psychometrics Training design Training design needs analysis  Recent Relevant Experience Designed and delivered a project management training programme to 75 senior members of a Midlands local authority undergoing a major change programme Designed and delivered a self-awareness programme to 140 senior officers from a large Metropolitan Borough Council Designed and delivered a range of management and leadership courses for international clients based in Dubai Developed a new programme for Creativity and Innovation for UK based clients Delivered a nationwide programme a wide range of Business Skills for the Childcare Sector Designed and delivered a personal development programme for a nationwide housing association Created and delivered a Project Management training package including the use of Microsoft Project software to a range of clients Designed and delivered leadership and motivation programme for a Midlands local authority Significant Earlier achievements Introduced distance learning into core aircraft engineering training for the RAF Designed, developed and delivered the ‘Leadership, Team and Personal Development’ programme at the RAF’s largest training base Completed four years tutoring online for the Open University Professional Activities Completed 4 years as Chair, Shropshire and Mid Wales Branch of the CIPD prior to election to the Executive Board in May 2005 Six years as a member of the Management Committee, CMI Shropshire Branch Completed CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice Completed Certificate in Personal Coaching and Diploma in NLP Leadership and Management Experience During a long and successful career in the RAF, held a range of appointments with a significant leadership and management responsibility including management of budgets in excess of several millions per annum.  Created the first Personal Development Squadron at the RAF’s largest training establishment. Employment History 2001  -  date Freelance Training Consultant 2001  -  2004 Associate Lecturer, Open University 1973  -  2001 Service in the Royal Air Force 1998  -  2001 Squadron Commander and Project Manager, RAF Cosford 1995  -  1997 Training Consultant, RAF Training Development & Support Unit 1993  -  1995 Manager, Training Resources Flight, RAF Cosford 1992  -  1993 Flight Commander for last apprentice course in the RAF 1991  -  1992 Instructor, advanced RADAR principles 1990  -  1991 Full time Post Graduate Certificate in Education 1990            Officer Training, RAF College Cranwell 1986  -  1990 Ground instructor, No 6 Flying Training School, RAF Finningley 1982  -  1986 Air instructor, No 6 Flying Training School, RAF Finningley 1973  -  1982 Operational tours associated with the Nimrod Maritime Patrol Aircraft Training and Education 2006 Diploma in NLP 2006 Certificate in Personal Coaching 2005 CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice 2002 Project Management – Open University 2000 MA(Education) - Brunel University 1999 Post Graduate Certificate in Open and Distance Education (Open) 1998 Diploma in Management Studies 1997 NVQ4 in Learning Development 1991 Post Graduate Certificate in Education – Wolverhampton Polytechnic 1989  BA (Open)   2005 Finance for non-financiers (CIPD) 2004 Prince2 Foundation and Practitioner Training 2002 Accelerated/Brain Friendly Learning 2000 Facilitation Skills using NLP         Trainer as Internal Consultant (CIPD)         Planning and Managing Organisational Change – Leeds University 1999 Personnel Selection Officers’ Course         Accredited IiP Advisor’s Refresher Training 1998 British Psychological Society Level A&B Accreditation         Strength Deployment Inventory – Accredited trainer         Initial IiP Advisor Training 1997 Practical Management – Nottingham University 1996 The Management of People – Birmingham University         Psychology for Trainers (IPD) Professional Memberships  I joined the Institute of Training and Development in 1992 – that later became the Institute of Personnel and Development and ultimately the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.  I served on the local branch committee for several years including four years as Branch Chair from 2001 until May 2005, when I was elected as a non-executive director of the Institute. I became a member of the Institute of Management (now the Chartered Management Institute) in 1994 and have served on the local branch committee for several years.

Other activities

The Utility Warehouse Discount Club
The Zapme mCard
UK Charity Days
Need a Website or want to improve your website
Fun Activity/Teambuilding Days

One of the great attraction to working as a sole trader is that I am, not restricted in the same way that I was while in the RAF.  If an opportunity presents itself, I am free to grasp it as firmly as I wish! I have grasped two such opportunities – The Utility Warehouse Discount Club and a marketing agency for the Zapme mCard.

The Utility Warehouse Discount Club provides a wide range of utilities including home and mobile phones, gas, electricity and broadband internet access.  These utilities are available for both domestic and business customers.  To find out more including details of the savings that you can make please visit www.telecomplus.org.uk/913343

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Team Building/Fun Days at an local Activity Centre.  Click on www.uniquetraining4u.com if you're looking for a great team day out. Lots of fun and great team building thrown in.

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