16 November 2021 News
Companies across the UK are being invited to pool their expertise and join a pioneering project aimed at improving the lives of children and their communities in a remote area of Kenya.
We are inviting volunteers (individuals and/or UK companies) with a host of skills and enthusiasm to join us on this life-changing trip.
Join our free fact-finding webinar on Wednesday 24th November to find out more about this incredible project.
03 November 2021 News
The Electrotechnical Experienced Worker Qualification Level 3 (City & Guilds 2346) is for electricians who have been working in the industry for at least 5 years but have not formally completed an industry apprenticeship or equivalent Level 3 NVQ qualification.
Achieving this qualification shows that you meet the Occupational Standards within the Electrotechnical industry. This can be a great launchpad for a range of careers, from inspection to installation.
The Electrotechnical Experienced Worker Qualification Level 3 (City & Guilds 2346) replaces the previous NVQ 2356-99 as the Experienced Worker Route to the Level 3 qualification.
There is no set duration for the 2346 qualification; it is down to the learner and long it will take for he/she to complete a portfolio of evidence and obtain the electrical work needed to complete the targets set by City and Guilds. However, it is expected to take anywhere from 6 months to a maximum of 24 months to complete.
To apply for the qualification, applicants must have at least 5 years experience in the electrotechnical industry and have an up to date Wiring Regulations qualification and an Initial Verification, Inspection and Testing qualification (Develop Training can assist with this).
This qualification is not one where learners spend most of their time in a classroom or workshop, but is rather completed in a place of work. To be able to complete the qualification learners must be able to evidence electrotechnical competency by completing various electrical installations on site and then have their work assessed by one of Develop’s Assessors.
Once a learner has gained the qualification they will then be able to take the AM2E Practical Assessment at any AM2 centre.
Electricians who have been working in the electrotechnical industry for over 5 years and have not completed an industry apprenticeship or equivalent Level 3 NVQ, may wish to complete this qualification in order to progress their career.
It is suitable for both employed and self-employed persons within the industry.
The key benefit of this route is that existing qualifications, skills and experience can count towards the qualification and therefore means learners only need to fill in the gaps.
Learners are able to apply for a JIB Grading and ECS Installation Electrician Gold Card upon successful completion of the qualification and AM2E.
02 November 2021 News
Develop Training has continued its pledge to play a full and active part in helping increase industry diversity after it launched the second cohort of its ‘Women in Utilities’ programme.
This ground-breaking programme offers free training to help women take the next step in their careers.
Develop Training, one of the UK’s leading providers of technical and compliance training for the utility sector and part of the JTL Group, described the issue as having moved to centre-stage in the wake of a series of reports which recognise how the sector’s diversity is below the UK average for gender, BAME and disability.
Develop launched its Women in Utilities success programme in 2019, where it offered eight women working in the industry the opportunity to access high quality training, mentoring and support for free. Despite the pandemic the programme continued throughout 2020 and into 2021. It involved providing each participant up to 15 days’ worth of free training to support their roles and career aspirations.
Ayisha Khurshid, Business Development Manager at Energy & Utility Skills was one of the first from the launch programme to finish her training and is now a mentor to the new cohort. Ayisha spoke at the induction event about her experiences of being in the industry. She said:
“I really enjoyed my experiences on the first programme and definitely gained some great skills and knowledge. It was a real pleasure to have the time to discuss mental resilience, emotional intelligence and generally have open conversations about what it is really like being female in a very male-dominated industry and more importantly – how we can all play a part in helping redress the balance.”
Stella Matthews, Hydrogen Development Manager, Northern Gas Networks talked about her experience of being accepted on the programme and what she hopes to gain from it.
Stella said, “It has been a fantastic two days, getting to know the other participants and hearing about everyone’s differing careers and aspirations. We all have our own goals, mine is by the end of the programme that I understand not only what the operational teams are doing, but also why, to help broaden my knowledge and skill set and enable me to manage my teams more effectively.”
Nichola Kitching, Key Account Manager and Programme Lead said:
“Our Women in Utilities success programme was the first scheme of its type and its fantastic we are now starting our second cohort of the programme.
According to the Energy & Utility Skills (2021) Workforce Planning Analysis only 18% of the sector is female compared to 47% as a UK average. With the majority of these roles being customer service and administrative we certainly have a long way to go if we are to play our part in addressing the skills gap. We need to make the sector more attractive by making the industry as accessible and welcoming as possible in order that we widen the pool of talent that we recruit from.”
Photo (left to right):
19 October 2021 News
Utility companies across the UK are being invited to pool their expertise and join a pioneering project aimed at improving the lives of children and their communities in a remote area of Kenya.
Derby-based Develop Training, one of the UK’s leading accredited providers of compliance, technical, and safety training for the utilities sector, has teamed up with Derby County Community Trust (DCCT) for the Rams in Kenya project.
The project aims to complete a sustainable utility project that will provide clean water and sanitation as well as train local people to maintain and sustain the equipment and systems independently for decades to come.
The first company to sign up to the project is Northern Gas Networks. Training Manager Chris Adair explained: “NGN are committed to providing opportunities for those less fortunate as part of our CSR policy.
“We are fully supportive of this project and are proud to the first utility company to sign up and commit our support with people, training and resources.
“As a company, we are funding three places for colleagues on our apprenticeship programme to take part. We feel it will provide them with the adventure of a lifetime as well as a real opportunity to change lives for the better and, above all, play a part in something amazing.
“We would love other companies in the sector to join us to make a positive and lifechanging impact for these children and their communities.
“Companies can either sponsor employees to take part or encourage individuals to fund raise the cost of their involvement.
“This covers the cost of travel, accommodation and goes towards the materials that will be required to make this project a reality.”
Any company or individual interested is invited to attend a virtual briefing session. Please contact marketing@developtraining.co.uk for further information and to express your interest.
11 October 2021 News
The UK’s leading accredited provider of Compliance, Technical and Safety training has won the prestigious ‘Training Organisation of the Year’ award at the esteemed Institute of Water President’s Dinner and Awards.
The event was held at Boathouse 7 in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard and was packed to the gunnels for the event. The 2021 Annual Conference and Awards, shines a spotlight on successful collaboration in the sector and showcases the very best people, projects, and processes that the sector has to offer.
Phil Beach, CBE, Chief Executive of Energy & Utility Skills presented the awards for Skills and Training, Phil said:
“I am delighted to have presented the Energy & Utility Skills Awards at this year’s event, recognising those companies and individuals who value their people highly and ensure skills and diversity remain an important focus.
Their achievements promote a resilient, skilled, diverse, and sustainable workforce and encourage better long-term outcomes for their organisation, the sector and wider society. Congratulations to all this year’s winners.”
The award win demonstrates how Develop have been instrumental in a training revolution within sector, especially important during the pandemic. With the launch of the first truly blended training course of its kind in the sector, Develop have worked closely with companies from all areas of the utility sector to ensure courses are developed to fit market needs and demands both now and in the future.
Following the win, Managing Director of Develop Training John Kerr said “To have received national recognition at such renowned awards for our training is overwhelming for the whole team. They all work tirelessly to create solutions that exceed our clients’ expectations, and this accolade is testament to them all.”
He added “We would also like to thank Energy & Utility Skills and The Institute of Water for the award and for all the work they do for the sector”.
27 September 2021 News
Utility companies across the UK are being invited to pool their expertise and join a pioneering project aimed at improving the lives of children and their communities in a remote area of Kenya.
Derby-based Develop Training, one of the UK’s leading accredited providers of compliance, technical, and safety training for the utilities sector, has teamed up with Derby County Community Trust (DCCT) for the Rams in Kenya project.
DCCT annually bring together an army of volunteers to undertake life-changing projects in impoverished areas around Nakuru and the next trip has been confirmed for May 2022. The annual visit to Nakuru sees volunteers of all ages support five partner schools with projects ranging from building classrooms to supporting teacher development.
The next trip will be the first time that individuals with specific utilities’ expertise have been involved.
The plan is to complete a sustainable project that will provide clean water and sanitation as well as train local people to maintain and sustain the equipment and systems independently for decades to come.
Develop Training Managing Director John Kerr explained: “As far as we know, this will be the first time that companies across the UK utility sector have come together for such an ambitious international project.
“By pooling expertise, we aim to complete a sustainable project that will make a real and sustainable difference to the whole local community in Nakuru.
“As well as designing and installing the equipment, we aim to provide a lasting legacy by ensuring that local people are fully trained in maintenance and repairs so that they do not have to totally rely on return visits and future support.”
Mr Kerr continued: “Some schools in this part of Kenya have thousands of pupils and only a handful of toilets and no sewage systems. This has a profound effect on all the children, teachers and the wider community but particularly on the older girls who, because of lack of facilities and no sanitary support, miss out on at least a week of school every month.”
Paul Newman, DCCT Community Manager continued: “The Rams in Kenya project is always amazing. The joy that it brings to our volunteers, as well as the children and teachers out there, is indescribable.
“Having not been able to return to the area for the past two years, we are looking forward to making the May 2022 project even more impactful.
“We have always been keen to add professionals from the construction industry, as well as those with medical and teaching experience, to complement our pool of enthusiastic volunteers.
“The input from Develop Training and the UK utility sector will hopefully ensure that we can achieve a key objective to bring life-changing clean water and sanitation to the local community.
“Such an undertaking obviously needs to be led by industry experts who will be supported by our volunteers who join us with a host of skills and enthusiasm and who all discover the role they are best suited for during the trip.”
Any company or individual interested is invited to attend a virtual briefing session. Please contact marketing@developtraining.co.uk for further information and to express your interest.
13 September 2021 News
JTL owned Develop Training is now offering its suite of specially designed short commercial training courses to those in the Building Services Engineering sector.
Due to a sustained demand throughout the pandemic, the group are delighted to be able to offer a wide range of accredited short courses from Electrical & Mechanical, Confined Spaces, Gas Safety, Leadership & Management and Health & Safety.
As one of the UK’s largest providers of work-based training, JTL already train more apprentices than anyone else in the Building Services Engineering sector and are now able to offer a wide portfolio of commercial off-the-shelf and bespoke short courses.
These will further strengthen the learner journey offering to enhance and facilitate CPD across the Building Services Sector.
The group has also continued its investment in Develop’s centres with extensive refurbishments at both York and Derby to create centres of training excellence.
As industry leaders in their respective fields (apprenticeships and commercial training) this strategic improvement in the combined offering will create greater course provision based on quality, cementing their joint reputations for excellence.
Paul McGuire, Chief Operating Officer at JTL, said: “It’s important that we adapt and evolve the group’s provision to ensure we can continue to offer high quality training with great results. By consolidating our provision in this way with Develop Training, we will be able to guarantee unrivalled expertise and infrastructure across the board. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
John Kerr, Managing Director at Develop Training, said: “This announcement is great news for Develop and for our clients, as JTL’s position and knowledge in the apprenticeship arena can only result in an improvement in provision and an increase in the scalability of what Develop could offer in the past. Likewise, taking on the management of other commercial training courses from JTL makes perfect sense in terms of efficiencies within the group allowing Develop to play to its strengths to deliver the results that our customers expect.”
For further information and a full list of courses please download the Building Services Engineering brochure. To find out more, please contact our friendly customer service team on 0800 876 6708 or email JTLenquiries@developtraining.co.uk.
08 July 2021 Blogs
As the UK’s leading accredited provider of Compliance, Technical, and Safety training we often get questions from employers and learners in regards to PAT Testing, or as it’s now known, In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.
Numerous changes to the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing (PAT Testing) were introduced in late 2020. The latest edition (5th ed.) is a significant revision with new guidance on the testing requirements and frequency of inspection and testing amongst other aspects.
It affects all business owners and duty-holders who own or maintain electrical equipment in the workplace.
We spoke to one of our experienced electrical trainers and asked him to answer some common questions around PAT Testing. We’ve also included some of our most frequently asked questions and answers – here are the results:
Is In-Service Testing and Inspection of Electrical Equipment a legal requirement?
Yes, it is covered under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Provision and Use of Equipment Regulations to name the two 2 most important pieces of Legislation.
What appliances need testing?
The only appliances that don’t need testing are Medical Equipment which comes under different regulations. Everything else at work should be included in a maintenance regime.
How often should equipment be tested?
This should be done on a risk assessment basis. The 4th Code of Practice had a table which suggested initial frequencies. The 5th code of practice contains an example.
Should power leads be tested separately?
If the appliances have IEC or detachable leads these should be tested separately from the equipment because they could be used on another item.
Does 110v equipment require testing?
Yes it does and any associated transformers. This type of equipment is generally tested most often due to the environment in which it is used.
How long does the City and Guilds 2377-77 certificate last?
There is no end date on the qualification although it is good practice to keep yourself up to date when the Code of Practice changes.
You can find out more about the training course, prices and available dates here.
What does the In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (PAT Testing) training course cover?
Develop’s training is a City & Guilds accredited course for practicing electricians who complete testing of electrical equipment/portable appliances, or who are involved in the management of such safety inspections.
Delegates will leave with a greater understanding of the legislation and be able to comply with it. They will also be able to produce better documentation, enforce safe working procedures and have better communication with colleagues.
Learners will specifically learn:
This course incorporates assessment and certification under the City and Guilds 2377-77 scheme; the Level 3 Certificate for the Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.
How would the change of tenant requirement work within self-catering holiday accommodation?
Equipment in rented accommodation must be kept in a safe condition. Each time a new tenancy is arranged the equipment should be checked.
You will still periodically inspect and test within the risk assessment. Then during the preparation for the next tenant have the cleaners check that the equipment is visually safe. For example, if they saw bare wires on a table lamp they should inform the appropriate personnel. I would also recommend downloading the poster from the IET to show to the cleaners so they know what they should be looking out for.
Does this mean that the previous inspection regimes are now out and the system is to be based on risk assessments?
Yes, but part of the previous regime was you had an amount of time between the tests. If you found equipment was being damaged this would have been decreased. If it had tested okay for years you could increase. The table in the fourth edition was initially for guidance.
I am a landlord of a number of properties, what do I need to be doing moving forward?
Whilst the legislation does not affect the guidance given in the COP, private landlords are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the requirements of the legislation and its impact on electrical equipment in the rented sector.
What maintenance regime should a hand dryer in a toilet be included under?
It can be done under In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment or under the fixed Installation Inspection. As the duty holder it is your decision which one it should come under.
How often would we have to inspect a hand held grinder on a building site?
The Code of Practice no longer has a recommended periodicity so you will have to perform a risk assessment and decide.
Can my handyman be trained to undertake In-service and Inspection of Electrical Equipment?
Anybody can take this course. City and Guilds recommend it is for “experienced electricians” but it depends on the persons level of competence and also what equipment they will be using on site.
What is the best equipment to carry out the tests?
This again depends on your staff level of competence. You can use everything for a low ohm/insulation resistance tester to a simple stop/go machine all the way up to a really complex machine that will give you values that the operator has to interpret.
Course for practicing electricians who complete testing of electrical equipment/portable appliances, or who are involved in the management of such safety inspections.
05 July 2021 News
An eight-year project by Develop Training to deliver a revolutionary training and course booking system for 4,500 gas industry workers has received huge praise from client tRIIO.
Develop was undaunted by the size and scope of the project for tRIIO, one of the partners in a gas engineering project running across eastern England and north London.
The training involved the delivery of a bespoke programme of more than 200 compliance, health and safety courses to 4,500 front-line Cadent workers in the gas industry.
The project required the transfer of tRIIO’s entire induction course booking system over to a more efficient and user-friendly Develop Training one using BookIT software.
Joanne Green, training and competency manager for tRIIO, said: “Using BookIT has had a massive impact on the efficiency and delivery of our technical training services.
“In particular, the user-friendly web-based platform provides our users with a quick and easy method of identifying training requirements and booking courses.
“This resulted in a streamlining of the overall process, through which we booked almost 2,000 training dates within the first three months. This is a huge achievement in a short space of time.”
An integral part of the new BookIt platform was the ability to create a learning and assessment portal that revolutionised the way personal development was managed within the business. The system enabled tRIIO to replace a time-consuming spreadsheet-based system with an automated, efficient and intuitive one.
Working over the eight-year period with Develop Training on devising the online induction booking process increased efficiency across tRIIO’s business by vastly increasing its data accuracy.
The gas company has now been able to delegate much of the day-to-day responsibility for training to line managers in the field.
Data relating to course attendances and outcomes can now be easily accessed and, where necessary, management action taken quickly and effectively.
Develop Training’s managing director John Kerr said: “I remember in 2016 first discussing the project with Joanne and distinctly recall her enthusiasm for it.
“Despite its scale, she knew even then that it had the ability to change the way training was managed, designed and delivered – and it most certainly has.
“Joanne should be exceptionally proud of this project. Eight years is a long time in any sector, especially utilities, and seeing this project through from concept to project completion is a huge achievement.
“It’s also testament to the open and honest relationship we have had throughout, and I am especially proud of the difference BookIT has made to tRIIO and the savings it has made as a consequence.”
tRIIO works in partnership with Cadent to maintain and improve the supply of gas to millions of people living and working in north London and the east of England.
Responsibilities include the replacing of old mains, laying new ones, installing new connections to houses and commercial premises, and even helping with emergency response services.
tRIIO’s gas engineering joint venture is between Morrison Utility Services and Skanska UK.
Joanne Green won a Skanska Utilities special recognition award for her work with Develop Training on implementing the Learning and Assessment portal for the project.
30 June 2021 News
Although Asbestos has been banned since 1999, this deadly material is still present in an estimated 500,000 buildings constructed before then, posing a huge risk to anyone who comes into contact with it.
In fact, IOSH report that in Britain, more than 2,500 people die from mesothelioma every year because of past exposure to asbestos.
On Action Mesothelioma Day (Action Meso Day) Friday 2nd July, support groups, charities and other organisations and individuals will come together to call for more awareness of the dangers of asbestos.
Develop Training are calling on people to take the dangers of asbestos seriously and help to support Action Meso Day by sharing posts on social media using the hashtag #ActionMeso.
If you want to understand the risks posed by asbestos containing materials (ACMs) and learn how to put safeguarding measures in place then Develop currently offer two training courses that can be delivered on-site, in centre or virtually to suit your needs:
A training course to provide an awareness and develop the knowledge amongst employees as regards the hazards and risks posed by asbestos containing materials (ACMs). The course further gives an overview of the legislative measures in place to permit employees to safeguard themselves and others affected by work activities.
UKATA Asbestos Awareness in Soil and Made Ground
A training course to provide an awareness of and develop knowledge amongst employees regarding the hazards and risks posed by soils and surrounding ground on sites that may contain ACMs. This course is for supervisors and trades personnel, including trainees, such as but not limited to: site managers/supervisors/agents, site remediation employees, construction workers, ground workers, plant and machinery operators, utility installers/maintainers and other such professionals.
Download our free eBook to help you manage asbestos here. Containing a range of useful information for both employers and those working directly with asbestos, it will help you put in place the correct measures to protect your staff and visitors from the dangers that surround exposure to asbestos.
For further information on asbestos-related training, or to no obligation consultation, then contact us on 0800 876 6708 or customerservice@developtraining.co.uk.
