Meet the Experts: Zoe Sims, Technical Training Manager

Zoe Sims has been with Ideal Heating for 15 years, having started in the technical team in 2009 before progressing on to become a gas engineer for the business.

A decade and a half later, she has swapped tools for training and joined Ideal’s Expert Academy experienced team.

Working as a Technical Training Manager, Zoe helps equip installers with the essential skills and knowledge required to work with both current and future heating solutions.

“To be able to take my vast experience working as a gas engineer and put it towards helping others develop is something I find incredibly fulfilling,” Zoe said.

“When I started at Ideal Heating 15 years ago in the technical team, I never could have imagined I’d be here helping to train people all these years later.

“While working in the technical team at Ideal Heating, advising installers and customers on our products, I realised I wanted to become a gas engineer myself.

“I decided to pursue the necessary training independently, attending evening and weekend classes. My dad was already in the heating industry, and introduced me to a friend who helped me gain practice experience.

“His support and guidance in those early days gave me the confidence to pursue this career.”

Zoe decided to transition to a role in Ideal Heating’s Quality and Reliability team when she became pregnant with her first child, as she felt it wasn’t wise to “continue clambering around in people’s lofts when carrying a baby”.

Her day to day changed from servicing boilers to using data to monitor trends, analysing component failures, conducting root cause analysis, and understanding how models perform.

While on maternity leave after the birth of her second child, Zoe saw an opening for the Technical Training Manager position.

“It felt like the perfect opportunity to use my years of experience as a gas engineer to help upskill the next generation, especially at a time when training is more critical than ever,” she said.

Zoe is also passionate about using her experiences to encourage more women to consider careers in traditionally male-dominated roles.

“I’ve attended several Women in Manufacturing events with Ideal to inspire young women to explore the opportunities available in our industry,” she said.

“I understand why joining this field might seem daunting, but I try and reassure them that it’s a welcoming environment. The colleagues I work with are fantastic, and now more than ever, we need to attract more women into the industry.”

Outside of work, Zoe is occupied by her two young boys, who currently take up all of her time. Zoe describes being a parent as her second full-time job, but that her children are her biggest blessing.

To find out more about Ideal’s Expert Academy, visit www.expert-academy.co.uk.