Our Training Experts

Our expert trainers are responsible for ensuring we deliver the very highest level of practical hands-on-training to each and every customer. Katie Patchett and her team are our training operations specialists with a wealth of experience of working with a variety of market sectors.

Katie Patchett
Training Services Manager

Katie Patchett is our training operations specialist, having been with the business for around 3 years, she co-ordinates & delivers high quality health & safety training. Katie has helped the training department grow through her knowledge, organisational skills, & charisma.

Katie said: “It’s a privilege to work in such an important aspect of Smiths Equipment Hire, the knowledge I have gained to better health and safety within our customers is a moment that comes with great pride. Having enhanced our professional skills, attitudes, behaviours, training centres and trainers to ensure our customers get the best experience. The objective within our team is to identify the required training needed on certain equipment and sites, and ensure the best training methods are being used to allow for great Health and Safety between organisations as a whole. Since I started with the business 3 years ago, I’ve gained so much more knowledge, priding myself in our high level of customer service. When we introduced the renewal call backs, we found a lot of customers didn’t realise their certificates had expired whilst working on a site. So, now we contact all delegates before they expire so it’s on their radar! Not only that I have been working very closely with IPAF and I now represent as a committee member getting to travel and also build up our relationships with other providers to help benefit our customers!”

Rebecca Snarr
Training Co-ordinator

Rebecca Snarr is our training co-ordinator, who joined the team two years ago, she helps to co-ordinate the smooth running of courses, whilst also finding courses out of the ordinary as well as sourcing nationwide courses to help our customers who may be working away. Rebecca’s knowledge is increasing day by day on all things training!

Rebecca said: “I joined Smiths Equipment Hire part time 2 years ago, doing the admin work for the Training department. I helped with certificates, scheduling and paperwork for all the training we provide for our customers. Recently I have upped my hours and have taken a great interest in Training. I work closely with the Trainers, customers and the depots and feel like my knowledge has grown and looking forward to seeing the Training at Smiths equipment Hire expand. Over the past 6 months since gaining an admin assistant I’ve been able to focus on our third party bookings, I enjoy the challenge of being able to find the training we don’t necessarily offer and more of our courses in areas we don’t cover. I pride myself in the customer service we provide our customers.”

Jackie Curtis
Training Admin

Jackie Curtis is our training admin, who joined the team three months ago, she helps to co-ordinate the smooth running of courses, inputting of paperwork and ensuring the customers have their certificates in a timely manner. Jackie’s knowledge is increasing day by day and is ready to learn the next stages of her role!

Jackie said: “I joined Smiths Equipment Hire just over three months ago, and it’s been an amazing journey so far. Learning about the paperwork inputting side of things, and getting the certificates out is one of my favourite things to do, seeing just how many delegates we train each day. Over the past three months I’ve been developing my role with the help of Katie ensuring we provide the best customer service, this includes me triple checking with the customer that they have the relevant PPE and reminding them of the courses, as I recognised that some courses may have been booked up to 6 months in advance, and some people do forget! It’s been a great start and I can’t wait to continue my journey with Smiths Training.”