Marc Trotman
My day job is an experienced Power Platform Solution Architect with Boss Global Consulting, where I get the opportunity to work on a number of sectors such as banking, education and non-profit. I love introducing organisations and individuals to the potential of the Power Platform, to help transform their businesses using best practices and effective governance principles.
The tech sector has given me many opportunities and a great career and I was delighted to be given the chance to get involved and give a little back with the Power Platform School, which was started by one of my friends, Tricia Sinclair.
This organisation works with adults from the BAME community (Black, Asian and minority ethnic), providing training on the Microsoft Power Platform as well as mentorship from industry professionals, during an 8-week program. The goal of the Power Platform school is to provide guidance through training and mentorship to black adults in areas with limited access to role models and assistance to enter tech, which Currently only represents 4% of IT professionals in the UK.
On a personal level, with my 10 years of experience working with the Dynamics CRM applications and the Power Platform, I knew I could give guidance around how the industry works, any pitfalls and help to guide people make a transition into the sector.
One of the first sessions for the Power Platform School rookies is about the different roles in technology. I have been giving the presentation about the Technical Consultant role for about three years now but I decided to get more involved. I agreed to deliver the Model App in a Day training and also apply to be a Mentor. I had been involved in a very similar situation when I worked at Metro Bank by creating a Junior Developer Training programme to upskill persons who had come from a non-technical background to becoming Junior CRM Developers. I enjoyed that experience and I felt that I could do something similar for the Power Platform School.
My application was successful and I was assigned my first mentee in 2022. It was a brilliant experience. I was lucky somewhat as my mentee had been working in a technical role but not in the Power Platform landscape. However, he learnt the various Power Platform components quickly and with our weekly meetings I was able to help him with any questions he had around the technology.
Towards the end of the program, I reviewed his CV, provided hints around the presentation he had to do for the job interviews which he had at the end of the programme. It was all about getting him to emphasise the transferrable skills he had from his work life plus showing off what he had learnt in the Power Platform School. I was really pleased when he received two job offers – one of which he accepted. We still have weekly catch-ups as I want to ensure he succeeds in his first year of work. My second experience this year has been rewarding too and I am looking forward to participating again next year.If you are thinking about getting into the sector, take a look at the Boss Global Apprentice programme. Take a look at the Power Platform School, . Or simply get in touch with me marc.trotman@bossgc.co.uk – I would love to hear from you.
