Member Article

Berni Rides into New Position at JB

The daughter of a pit pony rescuer has ridden into a new position at a leading Sunderland training company, JB Skills Training.

Berni O’Leary has taken up the post of Operation Director for the company that specialises in apprenticeships, learner loans, individual functional skills and bespoke company training for organisations of all sizes.

Bringing with her 17 years experience in the field, Berni has worked her way up the training career ladder having held positions in business administration, quality monitoring and quality compliance as well as operations.

Her expertise is steeped in the North East and Yorkshire across a range of industries including health, IT, manufacturing, creative & digital, construction, engineering and ex offender training.

At home in Washington Berni, who is originally from Seaham, lives with husband Steve, and has daughter Hannah and stepsons Gary and Paul. She is also proud to be a step-grandma.

Having been around horses since her childhood when she learnt to ride, she now keeps busy outside of work with her two horses, mother Neala and daughter Bayley, and rides regularly with Hannah.

JB Skills Training is a perfect fit for Berni, as managing director Dave Macmillan shares the same ethics in his approach to delivery of training and in his approach to both employees and employers. Berni said:

“I am delighted to join JB Skills Training at an exciting time when growth and expansion is planned.

“A young company, just approaching the start of its third year of trading, the vision for the future is exciting but achievable.

“To work within a company that has solid aims and ambitions is refreshing. And it is ideal that my skill set fits perfectly with the needs the business had.”

JB Skills has grown at a rapid rate since opening in March 2014. Earlier this year the company broke the £1m turnover mark and an announcement on further growth is expected shortly.

In the operations director role, Berni will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the business, which now employs 33 people and encompasses Skills2Care under the company umbrella. Dave Macmillan said:

“We are a young and hungry company, with a strong team ready to take the next step in growth.

“Berni’s experience, contacts and attitude are like a breath of fresh air, echoing perfectly the vision for the company. I am confident that it will be a joy to work with her in the coming months and years.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Antonia Brindle .