Scott – Meet The Tutor – Optimum Skills

After almost 30 years on the tools, Scott Stockdale started 2025 with a fresh chapter in his career.

“I started work at 16, as soon as I’d left school,” he said.

“I’ve had my own successful companies, worked in every city in England and also Holland, Ireland and Belgium.

“But then I spotted an opportunity to become a Roofing Tutor. I’ve never had a salary, or job security before – and I also had a passion to pass my skills on to others.”

With a wealth of expertise – including working on Tottenham Hotspurs’ £1bn stadium – Scott joined Optimum Skills as an Apprentice Roofing Tutor.

Besides staff he’d worked with, Scott had never formally tutored or taught.

But a year into his time with Optimum Skills, Scott has not only developed a string of apprentices – but also himself.

“I’d come straight off the tools, so I wasn’t computer literate. There were some parts of this job I admit I found daunting,” said the 44-year-old.

“But Optimum Skills have been fantastic since day one. It is an amazing company, with an unreal support network. 

“They hired me because of what I did know – which is roofing – and developed the areas where I needed extra support.

“And when it comes to roofing, and my job, they gave me the ball and just let me run with it.”

Working from our Saltmeadow Road site in Gateshead, Scott is one of the many talented tutors who help train around 1,500 people each year.

Having won praise from Ofsted, 98.8 per cent of apprentices passed their qualifications last year – a figure which Optimum Skills are proud of.

It is a figure achieved through attracting the best teaching talent, with decades of real-world experience within their field.

Talent like Scott.

“I spent almost 30 years working on sites, and it was a big change coming from that environment to working alongside real professionals here,” admits Scott.

“You have a lot to get used to – everything from quality assurance to safeguarding – and it takes a while to adapt.

“But I fell in with a good bunch. We have a new construction manager, Ken, who calms me and gives me the advice and confidence needed to grow and develop in this role.

“Everyone is approachable, and they are all willing to share tips and advice while everyone – from the top to the bottom – has an understanding of what you are doing in your role.

“That support has meant I’ve been able to take to the role like a duck to water.”

Having worked in a sector where he could spend weeks working away from home, having a role that is better for his homelife – as well as his body – is a game-changer.

Additionally, having worked as a sub-contractor, there’s also the peace of mind that comes from knowing he has a guaranteed salary.

And there is his own development, too. A year in, with the help of Optimum Skills, Scott recently secured a formal teaching qualification.

But his biggest pleasure has been passing on his decades of wisdom to eager apprentices, keen to get their careers underway.

“One of my apprentices, Hayden, secured a nomination in the BMI Apprentice of the Year awards, and I got to travel to Cirencester in the Cotswolds with him for the ceremony.

“He’s just 17, and to see the positive impact that we are making to our apprentices lives – and seeing them getting recognised – is what makes this job so special.”