Kevin Vashi is the managing director of Netcom Training and has been in his current role since 2022.
IN ONE SENTENCE, WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? I lead the strategic direction, partnerships and delivery of high quality digital and cyber security training that helps individuals gain the skills they need to thrive in the modern workplace.
PLEASE GIVE A BRIEF SUMMARY OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER TO DATE. My career has been shaped around learning and development. Before joining Netcom Training, I worked across a range of roles in education and workforce development, supporting programmes that helped people upskill and re-enter the job market. Taking on the managing director role at Netcom allowed me to widen that impact, working with government, industry and regional partners to address the digital skills gap in a meaningful way.
DID FURTHER/HIGHER EDUCATION SET YOU UP WELL FOR YOUR PARTICULAR VOCATION? Further education certainly gave me the foundations and confidence, but I’d say my career has been shaped mostly by practical, real-world experience and the people I have met along the way. I believe that education should be accessible, hands on and directly relevant to the workplace. Not everyone follows a traditional path, and that’s something we should praise not overlook.
HOW IS YOUR JOB IMPACTED BY UNCERTAINTIES IN THE ECONOMY? Economic uncertainty nearly always fuels the need for reskilling. When industries shift, technology evolves or businesses restructure, people look for new opportunities. And digital skills become even more crucial. The challenge for us is to ensure training remains responsive, forward looking and aligned to employer demand. Funding landscapes can shift but the need for skills never goes away. Our role is to provide clarity and opportunities even in times of change.
WHAT’S YOUR VIEW OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – AN OPPORTUNITY, THREAT, OR BIT OF BOTH? AI is a powerful opportunity, but only if we ensure that people have the skills to use it responsibly. It has the potential to make work more efficient, improve decision making and expand innovation. However, it also risks widening inequality if access to digital literacy isn’t universal. Our responsibility as an educator is to help people use AI thoughtfully and ethically. I see it as a helping hand rather than a replacement for human capability.
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM OF CHOICE, AND WHY? I’d say LinkedIn. I learn something new from the conversations I have on there with people across a wide range of sectors and it’s a place where people are looking to connect and learn.
HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR COLLEAGUES WOULD DESCRIBE YOU? Approachable, supportive and focused on each person’s potential. I want to be a leader who listens and takes on board everyone’s ideas. At the end of the day, everything we achieve is down to the team.
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR? Leading Netcom Training to a strong Oftsed ‘Good’ rating across all areas has been a proud milestone. It reflects the hard work every member of staff has achieved not just in compliance but with genuine quality in teaching and support. Equally hearing student success stories, someone landing their first role or someone returning to work after years out, those are the moments that stick with me.
ANY PARTICULAR FAUX PAS OR EMBARRASSING MOMENTS IN YOUR CAREER YOU WOULD PREFER TO FORGET? In my early career, I once began delivering the opening five minutes of a presentation before the host quietly pointed out that I was actually in the wrong venue. After a very quick and slightly embarrassed exit, I made it to the correct venue, feeling a mix of amusement, panic and a lesson I’ve never forgotten.
PET HATES? A lack of communication. Most challenges are easier to solve when people are open and honest from the start, so poor communication or last-minute surprises are something I’m never too fond of, particularly when they could have been avoided with a quick conversation or a little more clarity upfront.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF SOME WISE ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?Don’t worry so much about having everything figured out straight away. Focus on learning, building relationships, and saying yes to opportunities that stretch you, even if they feel slightly uncomfortable at first. Growth often happens in the moments where you’re unsure but willing to try, trust the process and back yourself.
HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? Spending time with family and friends is my favourite way to switch off. I also enjoy getting outdoors for a long walk, especially when I can leave my phone behind for a while and just be present. It helps me reset and re-energise.
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY WOULDN’T KNOW. My very first job was working in a shoe shop. It might sound simple, but it taught me a lot about customer service, patience and understanding people, as well as how small everyday interactions can have a big impact on someone’s experience.
YOU CAN TAKE ONE BOOK, ONE FILM AND ONE CD ONTO A DESERT ISLAND – WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Book: The Midnight Line - Lee Child. Film: The Shawshank Redemption. CD: Coldplay.
YOUR FIVE DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE? I’d invite Nelson Mandela for his wisdom and humanity, Steve Jobs to talk about innovation and creativity, Malala Yousafzai for her courage and advocacy, Sir Alex Ferguson for leadership lessons under pressure, and Stephen Fry to bring wit, storytelling and good conversation to the table.
WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO EAT FOR YOUR LAST SUPPER? Lasagne, ideally homemade or a true authentic version. It always reminds me of family dinners and good conversation.
