Training & Development

Barrus regards a highly motivated, skilled and effective workforce as paramount in achieving its business objectives. To this end, it is committed to training and developing all staff to achieve optimum business performance.

Whatever your role within our team or your ambitions, we will tailor your training to meet your needs and equip you with the skills required to do your job well.

We can offer a range of in-house or external training packages. Financial assistance for continuing professional development may also be available. 

As well as training, we also offer a full and in-depth Company induction programme; designed so that you fit in effectively and quickly become part of the Barrus team.

Read about our employee's career development journeys working in different departments across the company:

 

JAMIE MCNICOL - SALES ENGINEER

Tell us about how you started at Barrus?

I started at Barrus when they were kind enough to take me on for my placement year from university, studying motorsport engineering. My first role was as an R&D Technician, and during that time worked on both custom inboard and outboard marine engine projects.

How have you progressed, and what are you doing now?

After I had finished University, Barrus took me on in the role of outboard engine mechanic, refurbishing and testing engines. From there, I worked on the new custom builds on the inboard marine engines for our commercial customers before supervising this area as it grew and the company’s five inboard engine dynamometers. During this time, I also undertook training to become an internal auditor trained to the ISO standard 9001:2015. My current role as Sales Engineer sees me working across the UK and Ireland, selling, and promoting a global marine inboard engine brand, John Deere Marine.

What training and development have you had?

I have had various training, from technical training with our engine suppliers to focused sales and management training. This training has enabled me to fulfil my current role to the best of my abilities. I’m undertaking a Team Leader/Supervisor apprenticeship accredited by the Chartered Management Institute.

What personal skills do you think you need to be successful at Barrus?

A willingness to learn and being dependable would put anyone in good stead to succeed at Barrus.

What do you love about Barrus?

Working with top brands from around the world and the opportunities that entail, as well as the flexible attitude that the company has towards work/life balance, enabled me to make the most of opportunities outside of work. 

 

BEN HEWETT - business process coordinator

Tell us about how you started at Barrus?

Following my A ‘Levels, I came to Barrus on a temporary contract, picking and packing within the Garden Tools warehouse.

How have you progressed, and what are you doing now?

I completed six months within the warehouse and then moved to Business Processes.  My warehouse experience saw me involved in implementing, training and ongoing technical support of Barrus’ new Warehouse Management System.  We have successfully implemented the system in our engine, production and garden tools warehouses, and I am currently working on the next implementation stage for our Marine Equipment warehouse.  I was also heavily involved in Barrus’ ERP system server upgrade and backend IT support.

What training and development have you had?

On-the-job training learnt from experienced Barrus staff in Business Processes, Warehousing, Sales and IT.  I have completed a ‘train the trainer’ course to help with training Barrus staff on the new systems.  I have also gained my FLT licence.

What personal skills do you think you need to be successful at Barrus?

Patience, good communication, teamwork, flexibility, hard work, and dedication.

What do you love about Barrus?

The people and the opportunities I have been given.

 

LUCAS SHRIMPTON - WORKSHOP MECHANIC

Tell us about how you started at Barrus?

 

I completed a one-week work experience in the Garden Workshop while studying for my GCSEs at Bicester School. I continued working part-time with the Garden Workshop Team throughout the summer holidays. I went to study Classic Car Restoration at Bicester college and completed my one-day-a-week work placement within the Barrus Production Department. Once I'd finished college, I started working full-time at Barrus and am currently studying a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Marine Engineering.

 

How have you progressed, and what are you doing now?

 

I worked for a year on the Shire Canal boat engine production line before moving to oversee the dynamometer test cell – testing rebuilt inboard engines. I did this for two years before developing the knowledge and skills to rebuild MoD inboard engines on the repair bay.

 

What training and development have you had?

Alongside my apprenticeship, I have completed many in-house outboard and inboard marine engine courses, multiple H&S courses, RYA Powerboat and Instructor certificates, RYA first aid and most recently, my forklift licence.

What personal skills do you think you need to be successful at Barrus?

Keeping to deadlines, good at problem-solving, good work ethic. Take pride in your work and complete it to a high standard.

What do you love about Barrus?

Everyone is very friendly. Everyone is happy to teach and learn new things.

 

RACHAEL O’MARA - APPRENTICE WORKSHOP MECHANIC

Tell us about how you started at Barrus?

Starting Barrus was as equally exciting as it was nerve-wracking… My only experience with this trade was my recently completed level 2 light vehicle maintenance qualification at college. Everything was a tad overwhelming, but I was happy to start a new career after a 6-year progression into management with my previous job. I came across Barrus during my search for an apprenticeship. Whilst looking through the job sites, I came across The Engineering Trust, which paired me for an interview with Barrus.

How have you progressed, and what are you doing now?

I started in the Dynamometer test cell, where I became familiar with what types of engines I’d be working on over the next three-plus years. The test cell is where we load 600kg+ engines onto a test bed, using an overhead crane that can hold up to one tonne, and then connect it to a system that records and controls a test run with the engines that my colleagues have spent their time either servicing, maintaining, or completing a full rebuild on. After six months in the ‘Dyno’ room, I’ve moved on to the production line, working on modifications and wiring for the newer engines. These are modified to our customer’s specific needs. I’ll then learn how to service, maintain and rebuild engines.

What training and development have you had?

I’ve been taught how to become competent at running the dynamometer test cell. I’m now able to load the engines on the bed, connect it to the system, identify any problems during any stage of the run, and control the full run. This has been a huge development since I started, as I could barely tell the difference between the types of engines, and now I’m fully confident that I can look after the Dyno room without supervision. Incredibly, I’ve taken in so much information over just 6 months.

What personal skills do you think you need to be successful at Barrus?

I believe the primary skills you’d need to work at Barrus are being organised, having good timekeeping, being able to work effectively on your own and in a team, being able to rely on those around you and adapting to quick/last-minute changes.

What do you love about Barrus?

Working at Barrus for me gives me a sense of achievement. I enjoy having projects to work on and seeing them slowly come together, so I’m a little impatient to crack on with the jobs I’ll be given in the future. I love how welcoming everyone has been and continues to be since I joined. It feels like a tight-knit team. I love the work-life balance it allows - working in retail previously makes you appreciate the bank holidays again! I’m constantly appreciative of all the support Barrus gives me. I feel lucky to have landed them for the start of my career in mechanical engineering.

 

JON BEBB - R&D ENGINEER

Tell us about how you started at Barrus?

I completed a one-year student placement between years 2 and 3 of my Motorsport Engineering Degree at Oxford Brookes University.  I was then given the opportunity to come back to Barrus and work one day a week whilst completing my Masters's Degree.  Having achieved my master's, I was offered a full-time role as an R&D Engineer.

How have you progressed, and what are you doing now?

When I returned to Barrus, I fulfilled the R&D Technician (technical writer) role part-time.  As a full-time R&D Engineer, I work with many divisions across various projects, covering numerous disciplines, including design, CAD drawing, 3D printing, manufacturing, machining and testing.     

What training and development have you had?

Various Barrus in-house training programmes, IMI Level 2 & 3 Hybrid and Electric Vehicle course and RYA National Powerboat Certificate - ideal for engine testing at the lake. 

What personal skills do you think you need to be successful at Barrus?

Being part of a team, working well with others.  Good communication – from other divisions to suppliers and customers, you also need to be good at solving problems, thinking of solutions when you haven’t necessarily got everything you need – particularly out in the ‘field’ when testing or fixing an engine and things are not quite going right!

What do you love about Barrus?

All the people are really nice and good to work with.  Specific to my role, I really like the variety and that I do different things every day: not just in the office, designing, drawing or manufacturing. I also go out and test the product and meet the customers. 

 

CRAIG WATTS - WORKSHOP INBOARD DIESEL MECHANIC

Tell us about how you started at Barrus?

After gaining an interest in mechanics early on in my childhood, I was recommended by a family member to take work experience at Barrus. I was fortunate that later in my college education (Level 3 Motorsport Engineering at Bicester & Banbury College), I was offered a one-day-a-week placement which then progressed into my full-time role at Barrus.

How have you progressed, and what are you doing now?

My first role at Barrus started with working with our Shire canal boat range of engines; my hard work and attention to detail gained me a place working within Special Products Division, learning new skills on newbuild inboard diesel engines. This has further increased my passion for mechanics and electronics.

What training and development have you had?

Since starting at Barrus, the company has done everything to support my growth of knowledge. This includes online, in-house and off-site courses. What personal skills do you think you need to be successful at Barrus? Working as a team is a huge part of working at Barrus. After seven years of working here, I have always sensed that the team has a collective aim to help one another achieve our company goals.

What personal skills do you think you need to be successful at Barrus?

Working as a team is a huge part of working at Barrus. After seven years of working here, I have always sensed that the team has a collective aim to help one another achieve our company goals.

What do you love about Barrus?

Barrus is a family; they have always looked after my colleagues and me. They have created personal growth and opportunity wherever possible, and I will always be grateful to this company.

 

STUART SKINNER - ACCOUNTANT

Tell us about how you started at Barrus?

I started in March 2016 within the Garden Divisions’ sales support team. My main role was supporting two ASMs and their dealers in Garden Machinery & Accessories.

How have you progressed, and what are you doing now?

Eighteen months into my employment and after expressing my intentions to gain a career in Finance to the Barrus HR team, I was placed into credit control under an apprenticeship scheme. Five years later, I am a qualified chartered ACCA accountant working within the Barrus finance team.

What training and development have you had?

Oct 17-June 19 - AAT Level 3 (Distinction) & Level 4 Accountancy & Taxation apprenticeship. July 19-June 22- ACCA Qualification (all first-time passes) & Level 7 Accountancy & Taxation apprenticeship. July 2022 – Qualified Chartered ACCA Accountant.

What personal skills do you think you need to be successful at Barrus?

I believe internal motivation is the most significant personal attribute to success at Barrus. Barrus is exceptionally placed to support and progress careers in multiple disciplines, but it is up to the individual to make the best of them. For me, that motivation started with my discussions with the HR team and continued for the next five years whilst I reached my goal.

What do you love about Barrus?

I love many aspects of my time at Barrus; however, if I were to pick one thing, it would be the variety of my work. I get to be involved in all aspects of the accounting functions of Barrus and work with colleagues from all the sales and support divisions. This means that one day I could look at currencies with our marine division, and the next could be accruals for our garden centre contracts.

 

AGI BORYSIUK - DEMAND & FORECAST PLANNER

Tell us about how you started at Barrus?

I moved from Poland to England in 2014 and was looking for purchasing roles in the automotive industry or similar. My experience included six years working in purchasing and a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

How have you progressed, and what are you doing now?

I started my Barrus journey as a Sales Administrator in the Spare Parts Department in 2016. I was still keen to secure a purchasing role, and in 2017 I took up the position of Demand Planner in Spare Parts.

My career in purchasing had begun.

In 2019, I was offered the Demand and Forecast Planner role in the newly formed Barrus Marine Equipment Division. This division is a busy and fast-moving environment, but I enjoy every minute and aim for further growth and progress.

What training and development have you had?

Barrus has fully supported my personal growth and career aspirations. I completed a 2-day Forecasting course and started Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply in November 2022.

What personal skills do you think you need to be successful at Barrus?

Attention to detail, consecutive thinking and a proactive approach, but the most important is to be a team player.

What do you love about Barrus?

I like everyone I work with; we are like a patchwork family with good and bad days, but we always support each other on every level. I am grateful to my Manager and Barrus for their support and allowing me to grow and positively impact company goals.