Lorna Gibson

Said the following about Erik Priessman:

“Erik has been part of the QTS Training team for 10 years and has immense knowledge, dedication and passion for teaching and developing others.

Erik is not only a fantastic trainer but also a loyal and supportive team member. He always has time for his colleagues and makes a point of offering support if he feels that anyone is having a difficult time, whether at work or personally.

Erik has not only helped thousands of learners improve their knowledge but has also worked on his knowledge and skills over the years and has developed several training courses which are specific and relevant to the work of QTS Group and other rail industry customers. One area that he has developed throughout the organisation is Mental Health First Aid. Erik is now a highly sought after Mental Health First Aid trainer, delivering accredited qualifications to both internal and external customers. Unfortunately, in our industry, with the high percentage of men in our workforce, mental health is a significant issue which we have to prioritise. Erik has not only become accredited to deliver the Mental Health First Aid training but has become passionate about the subject and how we can help and support people with mental health issues. Erik now leads the QTS Mental Health Working Group and puts many hours, including his own time, into developing projects and initiatives to support the mental health of our workforce.

Erik has also developed bespoke training programmes including working closely with MP Awards to allow QTS Training to be accredited to deliver the Land Drilling NVQ to our operatives. This not only ensures expertise and safety but also provides a personal development opportunity and achievement of a formal qualification. Our operatives have embraced this initiative and have a real sense of pride in achieving their qualifications. Erik works very closely with the learners and supports them fully throughout the qualification process.

Erik has had a pivotal role in the QTS Rail Skills Academy since its launch in 2022. This is a 9 week programme for unemployed young people and provides them with the training and work experience required to achieve employment in the rail industry. To date, there have been 5 programmes delivered, many of the young people taking part have additional support needs, come from socially deprived backgrounds or are care experienced. They have had difficult relationships with education and having to spend 5 weeks in the classroom can be very challenging for them. Erik delivers the personal development, health & safety and small tools elements of the training and gives the young people a fantastic experience, providing them with the confidence to achieve the competencies and qualifications they need. Erik takes huge pride in seeing the joy on their faces at the end of the programme when they are presented with all their certificates, and even more so, when they secure employment in our industry, as the majority of them now have.

As a First Aid trainer, Erik has recognised the difference it can make to people to have life saving skills and has recently offered drop in sessions for QTS team members to learn, or refresh their knowledge, of giving CPR and using defibrillators. These are delivered in his own lunch time and the team members that have taken part have thoroughly enjoyed these sessions.

Erik’s contribution to QTS Training has been recognised with his promotion to Health & Safety Training Manager in 2022 and it would be fantastic for him also to win the Learning, Developing and Investing in People Award also. It is truly deserved and his learners agree!

“Erik is the most engaging teacher I have ever had. The way he is with the trainees is fantastic and his knowledge of his subjects is incredible! Erik built great relationships with all of the trainees and gave every one of us 110%!”

Gregor Larmour, QTS Rail Skills Academy, July 2023 Cohort

“It was an absolute pleasure to have Erik training us, from start to finish we received the best support, nothing was ever too much for him. He is so patient with everyone and if we don’t understand anything he would explain it in a different way to help us understand. He really wanted everyone to do well and that shone through!”

Kirstie Stevens, Levenmouth Rail Skills Academy, September 2023 Cohort“