Rob Nitsch was appointed as the Institute’s first Chief Operating Officer in June 2018.

The Institute’s mission is to improve access to high-quality apprenticeships and technical education, in order to transform the skills landscape.  Reporting to the Chief Executive, Rob is accountable for the operation of the Institute’s technical education. apprenticeship and commercial teams.  Their outputs include the development and assessment of apprenticeship standards, funding recommendations and the Institute’s responsibilities for Technical Education.

Rob trained as a professional engineer in the Army.  During his military career, he also held operational and strategy appointments in training & education, logistics, corporate affairs and HR.  Prior to joining the Institute he was the Army’s Personnel Director and a member of the Army Board.

Beyond the Institute, Rob is the Chair of the South East Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee, the Honorary Colonel of Southampton University Officer Training Corps and a Governor of Highbury College in Portsmouth.  He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).