Kate Summers

Training, Competence and Capability Manager with 30+ years' experience in manufacturing, passionate about developing people and helping employees identify and achieve their potential. Specialising in skills gap analysis, training frameworks, training development and delivery, compliance tracking, SOP-style documentation, audit readiness and workforce development. Confident partnering with operations, HR, engineering, quality and safety teams to embed training processes, maintain accurate records, support induction and refresher training, report KPIs and build long-term site capability.

Production Faculty – Competence and Learning Manager - Airbus UK

(2012-01 - 2025-12)

Responsible for identifying skills and competence requirements across production roles, completing gap analysis, maintaining training records and developing learning solutions aligned to operational, quality, safety and compliance needs for existing employees, apprentices and new operators. Worked closely with HR and recruitment to support onboarding and resource management, ensuring new starters' skills aligned to business requirements and setting tailored training plans to support role readiness.

• Owned the UK production training catalogue and ensured learning solutions were structured, accessible and aligned to business needs.
• Completed skills and competence reviews to identify mandatory training, completed learning and future development requirements.
• Maintained competency records, compliance evidence, audit trails, skills matrices and KPI-style reporting data.
• Managed the day-to-day running of the training facility, tooling, resources and technical trainers, ensuring training plans ran smoothly and were aligned to the right skills and delivery needs.
• Oversaw facility management requirements including building upkeep, visitor arrangements, training-room readiness and coordination of resources to maintain a professional learning environment.
• Supported managers, HR and recruitment with onboarding activities, resource planning, skills alignment and tailored training plans for new operators.
• Managed training budgets and acted as Transnational Production Faculty Specialist for new training solutions covering new technologies, tooling and processes, acting as the key interface with engineering, quality, safety and technical specialists.

Technical Training Advisor - Airbus UK

(2008-01 - 2012-12)

Developed and delivered technical theory and practical training courses within a manufacturing academy environment.

• Advised production managers on training requirements, compliance needs and business priorities.
• Maintained training databases, schedules, reports, learner records and audit documentation.
• Supported training needs analysis with HR, managers and operational teams.

Change Enablement / QA Certification Support - Airbus UK

(2002-01 - 2008-12)

• Managed project documentation, implementation plans, matrices, schedules and reporting data for manufacturing change activity.
• Maintained training and certification records to help managers identify gaps, evidence requirements and compliance risks.
• Delivered SAP training and designed Excel tracking systems for certification, concessions and training completion status.

Aircraft Fitter / Concession Writer - Airbus UK

(1999-01 - 2002-12)

• Worked to engineering drawings, production processes and quality standards within aircraft manufacturing.
• Used SAP, drawing software, precision measurement tools and concession tracking systems.

Aircraft Fitter - Airbus UK

(1996-01 - 1999-12)

• Worked in aircraft wing assembly, following production, quality and safety standards.
• Built hands-on manufacturing experience across Airbus single aisle aircraft variants.

Manufacturing Craft Apprenticeship - Airbus UK

(1993-01 - 1996-12)

BTEC National Certificate in Aeronautical Engineering; NVQ Level 3 in Installing & Commissioning for Aircraft Engineering (Mechanical); NVQ Level 3 Engineering - Aeronautical Engineering - Coleg Cambria (Deeside College) (1993-01 - 1996-12)

Manufacturing Craft Apprenticeship - Manufacturing - Airbus UK (1993-01 - 1996-12)

South Wirral High School (1988-01 - 1992-12)