Valleys Life talks to Gareth Noble, owner of Noble Training, on what his company can offer businesses with advice and training in health and safety.
THE LAST WORD
Tell us about your business
I set my business up in June 2008 and recently left full time employment in November 2009 as a health and safety officer to pursue my chosen path.
What type of clients do you have?
My clients have included:
■ Priory Private Hospitals
■ Harley Medical Group
■ Cardiff Legal Services Commission
■ Cardiff Council Housing Association
■ Companies House
■ Intellectual Property Office (Patent Office)
■ Corpus Christi High School
■ Ysgol Plasmawr High School
■ Lisvane Primary School
■ Cwmfelin Primary School
Anyone we'd know?
Your readers would probably be aware of the Harley Medical Group. I started running courses for them in First Aid, Fire Awareness, Anaphylactic Shock and Manual Handling, in August 2009 and have been covering courses around the country for them ever since.
Why would these companies need your services?
With a change in First Aid Legislation that came into effect October 1st 2009, many businesses are unwittingly leaving themselves wide open for prosecution. As an HSE accredited First Aid at Work provider and assessor through the Association of First Aiders, we at Noble Training are able to offer up-to-date and current training along with advice and help to many businesses that require our services.
Who would you like to work for?
I would like to work for anyone and everyone, but my specialist skills and experience leans towards the health and care sector, but do have experience in heavy industry, logistics, transport, gases industries.
What would you like to change?
I sometimes get frustrated at the world's problems and wish I had all the answers. Unfortunately I don't and need to constantly tell myself that I don't and try to relax a little.
Sum yourself up in three words?
You'd have to ask my family, they probably know me better than I do.
In a nutshell, my philosophy is...
I'd like to move forward in my life and chosen career path, enabling myself to give a full and honest approach to any task I undertake.
You may not know this but...
■ I received a bravery award in 1991 for helping a woman who was being beaten and attacked with a knife. I sustained serious knife wounds myself but, thankfully, the woman in question was safe.
■ At the age of 18, I cycled around Wales with a friend in aid of Tenovus cancer research. The ride took us ten days and we raised approx £1500.
■ I helped a gentleman in Newport who had decided to end his life by jumping from a bridge into a swollen river, I was able to talk to him reassure him, get him to come back over the barrier and stayed with him until the emergency services arrived.
■ I hold regular workshops in public safety and personal awareness, have given talks and demos to Cardiff round table, Cardiff Womens' Guild, Mums Matters Community Group, amongst others.
■ I am an HSE accredited First Aid at Work provider and assessor.
■ I have worked in partnership and run courses for Career Change Wales. For more information please visit www.careerchangewales.co.uk
■ Once I had joined the training team of the prison I set about making plans for a future in training others. We are partners with the Home Office, Know before You Go Campaign, which helps travellers. ■ I have set up and run my own successful martial arts school.
■ I write a monthly article for a local newspaper on personal safety and awareness.
■ I spent five years in the British Army, with an active role in anti terrorist conflict, covert activities and intelligence gathering.
What customers say...
"Noble Training's work raises people's self esteem, ensuring personal safety through the many courses from Health and Safety, First Aid at Work and Positive Behaviour Management, amongst others. During our Personal and Social Education day recently, Gareth gave our sixth formers food for thought regarding body language and how to avoid being a victim of crime."
Siriol Burford Senior Assistant Headteacher
Ysgol Plasmawr
