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24
ENERGY INTERNATIONAL
February/March 2012 www.esb.ie/em
Life and Times of an ESBI Engineer
WE CATCH UP with Noel Clarke who joined ESBI in 2008. Noel’s primary degree is in Information Technology, where he specialised in communications technology engineering. He is a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) and attained chartered status with the CQI two years ago.
Noel’s background in quality management stretches back to 1989 when he was technical and project leader on a project to attain laboratory accreditation for a calibration organisation and retains a high level of interest in precision metrology today.
Noel’s roles and responsibilities
“Despite trying to operate on a ‘Plan, Do, Check, Act’ model myself, I rarely have a typical day, which is great,” says Noel. “My role requires coordination of external audits by the certification body on ESBI’s ISO9001 registered quality management system. I am involved in a range of diverse areas of the company including: customer satisfaction, continual improvement, the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) committee, managing the internal quality audit team and audit planning and execution.
“As a trained lead auditor in quality, health and safety and environmental management systems, I apply these skills in ESBI and other areas of the ESB Group. I am also a member of two National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) technical committees which contribute to developments in national and international standards in quality and asset management. Close cooperation with the health and safety and environmental teams is another ongoing aspect of my work and this will reap future rewards in relation to the potential for synergies and cost savings arising from integrating the common aspects of each of the respective systems if or when the need arises.”
Personal interests
Outside work, Noel keeps fit by jogging on Bettystown Beach, he is a keen cyclist and has been known to sing in the local choir. He is also a Dublin GAA season ticket holder.
Finally
“Quality Managers are generally tasked with holding a mirror up to the organisation,” says Noel. “They do this with the sole intention of helping the organisation to identify opportunities for improvement and then to implement them systematically. In doing so, we try to ‘lock-in’ any progress made. Throughout my time in the company I have been given a myriad of opportunities to use my skills and abilities and to work with fantastic colleagues whose input I greatly value.
“Phase 2 of the Quality Improvement Programme has recently been initiated so we are entering a really exciting period in the months ahead. The level of staff engagement to date has been truly amazing and it will provide an excellent foundation on which to develop as the project progresses.”
Network crews in repair works on both sides of Irish Sea
Page 16
Women in Engineering
THE ANNUAL WOMEN in Engineering programme took place over a three-day period last November and involved participation of 13 female transition year students from schools in Dublin. Through a series of presentations, engineering challenges and a visit to Poulaphouca Dam, the students were given an insight into what it is like to have a career in engineering.
The programme included presentations from Louise Connolly, Adelina Henderson, Chloe Kinsella, Patrick Crowley, Susan Stack and Alan McDonald. The students were put through their paces with a K’NEX challenge where they designed and built an underwater turbine with the help of Eileen Morgan, Elizabeth Hendrick and Christina Coleman-Kenny. They also got the chance to use some surveying equipment under the direction of Sinéad Conlan and Emer Brogan. Catherine Halpin of Generations Operations facilitated the visit to Poulaphouca Dam and Dervla O’Flaherty and the e-Cars team gave demonstrations of ESB’s electric vehicles, all of which were of huge interest to the students.
Thanks to ESB Energy International’s Learning and Development Team who delivers and supports the programme each year, particularly Ian Riordan, Seán Ramsay, Lisa McCord and Bernardine Moloney.
A time for good health
Life page 40
Santa’s annual visit to ET&R
SANTA PULLED out all of the stops to make his traditional Christmas visit to Energy Trading and Regulation (ET&R).
His visit was two days before Christmas, which meant that Santa had to use his second, much smaller sleigh, as the big one was still being loaded up for Christmas Eve night. This smaller sleigh only needs two reindeer to pull it along, but as many of the boys and girls pointed out, Rudolf still had to come as he is the only one that can show the way with his bright shiny red nose.
The Chief Executive and the adults enjoyed coffees and mince pies while the kids got stuck into sweets, crisps, popcorn and drinks. Movies, colouring and a Nintendo Wii provided plenty of entertainment as the children waited their turn to visit Santa.
The grotto, again, was remarkable – complete with fireplace, Christmas tree, reindeer and decorations. The facial expressions of the children as they entered the grotto made all the preparations worthwhile. Wideopen eyes and mouths reflected nervousness, awe, anticipation, shock and a real sense of mystery – and that was just among the parents!
Santa got caught up in the innovation drive within ET&R by asking the children to leave a green apple out for Rudolf instead of the traditional carrot. It seems that after thousands of years, Santa had found out that Rudolf sometimes likes to take a bite out of a green apple. How Santa came to know this will have to remain a secret though between Santa and the 80 children who visited.
