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NAME: |
James Baker Smith |
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D.O.B: |
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EMAIL: |
Withheld
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The
Interview: |
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Please
describe your professional background. |
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The majority of my working career has had little to do with the pest control industry. After finishing a career as an emergency planning officer within London, I set up DATAS, a consultancy and training business devoted to specialist environmental health issues. I had taught on environmental health courses in London. |
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How
did you first come to be involved in pest control? |
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I was running a successful business concerned primarily with surveying for asbestos containing materials within structures. My company was approached to provide a training facility for the RSH Certificate in Pest Control. I agreed.
As an ‘outsider’ it soon became apparent to me that neither the industry nor its clients particularly valued qualified technicians. Moreover once qualified there were few opportunities for technicians to progress other than by attending specialist technical training courses. As a training organization it was decided to positively encourage meaningful on-going training throughout the industry. The first step I undertook was to ensure that DATAS training was as good as it can be. The excellence of DATAS training has proved second to none, with examination pass rates in excess of 96%.
DATAS, in consultation with representatives from within the industry established the Professional Pest Technician Registration Scheme, an accreditation scheme for qualified pest control technicians. I created the annual DATAS Pest Controller of the Year Awards to reward those individuals and organizations that demonstrate initiative or original thought. Among the winners have been the British Army, Local Authorities, UK and overseas pest control businesses.
DATAS in conjunction with the NPTA developed two new qualifications to meet the needs of technicians. The NPTA Practical Pest Certificate enables new entrants to the industry to learn some of the practical skills required to undertake successful and safe pest control activities. The NPTA Advanced Diploma in Pest Management enables experienced pest control technicians to develop some of the managerial skills to successfully run a pest control operation. We are now getting enquiries from around the world about the NPTA courses.
DATAS was, and still is, the only training provider that allows external students to sit the RSH examination. DATAS creates an opportunity for experience but unqualified technicians to gain a recognized qualification, by organizing an open RSH examination at the annual NOTA PestTech exhibition.
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What
is your favourite aspect of the pest control industry? |
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Telling a student, who has low self-esteem because s/he was not very academic, that s/he has passed an examination in pest control. |
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Least
favourite aspect of the pest control industry? |
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The excellent work carried out by the majority of pest control technicians is undermined by the poor, and sometimes dangerous, practices of a few. |
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What
is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? |
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With regard to pest control, the biggest challenge is still ongoing and that is to help the industry develop from a reactive pest control service to a pro-active pest management profession. |
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What
advice would you give to anyone thinking of a career in pest
control? |
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Simply that. Treat it as a career and not just a job. A career implies on-going personal and professional development and progression. |
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What
motivates and drives you? |
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The fact that my personal goal to win a jackpot on the lottery has not yet been realized. |
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Do
you have any remaining or unfulfilled ambitions? What are
they? |
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To win a large jackpot on the lottery and spend, spend, spend! |
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Has
the industry changed much during your career? How? |
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In the ten years that I have been directly involved in pest control the most noticeable change I have observed is the slow evolution from the ‘rat-catcher’ mentality to the more technically competent and confident technician. |
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Describe
an amusing pest control anecdote. |
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It is not amusing nor is it an anecdote but it is true and it is something that was as relevant to pest control as during my emergency planning career “failing to prepare is preparing to fail”. |
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