Case Studies

Interserve is one of the world’s foremost support services and construction companies, with a vision to redefine the future for people and places.

In particular the company has operated within the Facilities Management Industry for over 20 years with some of its core clients including the BBC, B&Q and London Underground.

Interserve has been a key client of Develop Training for a number of years, where the company has supported them with their Facilities Management Training requirements.

Electrical training for Interserve employees

Interserve approached Develop Training around February 2015, following the launch of 17th Edition Amendment 3, the latest update to the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations.

Interserve was looking for a provider to get 100+ electrical employees, operating across BBC sites, up to speed with the changes before the 1st July 2015 deadline.

As well as the short time frame to plan in and deliver training for all engineers, Interserve also had the added pressure of ensuring all trainers had the excellent capabilities and credentials required to deliver this crucial training, to the required standard.

Solution & business benefits delivered

Develop Training was chosen to deliver this training for Interserve because of the high quality of service provided, including the trainers, the courses and administration.

Develop Trainings electrical expert worked with Interserve to schedule in training dates to their desired specification and locations. All dates for the one day Amendment 3 course were scheduled for the client within 24 hours, with delivery commencing throughout June 2015.

The 17th Edition Amendment 3 course was introduced by Develop Training to help keep their clients compliant, at all times. The course also accompanies a full range of electrical courses including the full 17th Edition Wiring Regulations course for less experienced engineers.

As a result of the training, all electrical engineers working for the BBC have a greater understanding of the amendment 3 changes and are able to operate in accordance with the legislation.

Interserve were extremely impressed with Develop Training’s quick response to their training need and the delivery of the training itself. The client praised the trainers who visited the sites prior to the course and ensured excellent delivery.

As a result of this excellent experience, Interserve has referred Develop Training to other sites for different types of training from Gas Foundation to Driver Awareness.

  Case Studies

Northumbrian Water (NWL) is part of the Northumbrian Water Group and supplies water and sewerage services to 2.7 million people in the north east of England, covering an area of 1488 miles.

Their estate includes 44 impounding reservoirs, 57 water treatment works, 344 water pumping stations, 418 sewage treatment works and 765 sewage pumping stations. In addition to this, there are more than 25,600km of water mains and almost 30,000 km of sewers. NWL employs more than 3,000 people.

Business challenges

The maintenance of NWL’s estate is paramount to the utility’s continued business success. Operatives, supervisors, team leaders and managers require the appropriate training, both to ensure they are best equipped to manage the estate and they remain compliant with relevant legislation.

NWL were booking delegates onto training courses as required in an ad-hoc fashion. A list of delegates and their training requirements would be provided for Develop Training to then schedule courses to suit. This was cumbersome – in each instance the Develop Training Customer Services team would need to confirm the availability of training staff with Operational Managers, resulting in a time consuming process which would replicate itself for every delegate.

Solution & business benefits delivered

Develop Training introduced the Learning & Assessment Portal (LAP) to NWL in 2010. Immediately this offered NWL the benefit of operational managers being able to see at-a-glance which team members required training, and the ability to schedule this training at the click of a mouse. This saved considerable administrative time and effort, enabling training to be booked to fit the operatives’ work schedule.

Through the LAP, NWL has full visibility of the training schedules and availability. As a result, more courses are now run at full capacity. This provides NWL with a better return on their training investment, as they are more strategic about when courses are booked to maximise their budget.

Since 2010, NWL has managed the training requirements of more than 3,000 delegates via the LAP. This has included more than 100 different training courses from different providers, the results of which are all consolidated into one easy-to-use platform.

Tracey Greener, Training Contracts Manager for NWL, said: “The LAP has revolutionised the NWL Training Team’s role in supporting business training needs. The system has helped managers take ownership and control of booking people into training and if emergency work hits, they can also cancel and reschedule their teams. This has had a great impact on administrator time as well as reducing ‘no shows’ to training courses.”

Chris Wood, Chief Executive of Develop Training, said: “I am delighted that NWL are taking full advantage of our Learning & Assessment Portal. Not only does the Portal provide full transparency to NWL during the process of booking courses with Develop Training, but it also reduces considerably the demand placed on their managers’ time. As a result, NWL are realising cost savings, experiencing greater operational efficiency, and are able to take a highly proactive approach in meeting the training and development needs of their employees.”

  Case Studies

tRIIO is a gas engineering joint venture between Morrison Utility Services and Skanska UK which works in partnership with National Grid to maintain and improve the supply of gas to millions of people living and working in North London and the East of England.

tRIIO specialises in the delivery of design and contracting services for the UK’s gas distribution network – replacing old mains, laying new ones, installing new connections to houses and commercial premises and helping with emergency response services.

Business challenges for tRIIO

tRIIO and Develop Training Ltd agreed a five-year contract in early 2016 for the delivery of a programme of over 100 compliance, health and safety, and bespoke training courses to more than 3,000 front-line operatives.

Develop Training had provided training to tRIIO in the past. Prior to 2016, however, tRIIO’s training department scheduled courses, and delegates on those courses, using their own in-house system. This work was then necessarily duplicated on Develop Training’s systems, a process that was both time-consuming and inefficient for both companies.

Such a process also left little time for tRIIO to manage the wider training and development needs, in conjunction with Develop Training, of more than 3,000 staff.

Solution & business benefits delivered

Develop Training introduced the Learning & Assessment Portal (LAP) to tRIIO as a means of streamlining the course booking process and providing easy access to data.

The LAP was seamlessly and securely integrated between tRIIO’s and Develop Training’s systems. This instantly removed any duplication of effort and provided straightforward access to training records and data.

tRIIO has also been able to delegate much of the day-to-day responsibility for training to line managers in the field. Managers can now access the LAP directly. They can compare course availability with the identified training needs of operatives and make bookings directly onto appropriate courses. In the event that specific courses are unavailable line managers can now instantly request additional training via the portal. These requests are passed directly to tRIIO’s.

Learning & Development team who are able to review them quickly and efficiently, authorising or declining training as appropriate in line with legislative and corporate requirements and available budgets.

Data relating to course attendances and outcomes can now be easily accessed and, where necessary, management action taken quickly and effectively. The portal also provides a clear view of the compliance levels of operatives and a time-line for their reassessment or further training.

Jo Green, Training Manager for tRIIO, said: “Using the LAP 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 has resulted in us streamlining the overall process, through which we’ve booked almost 2,000 training dates in the first three months of using the LAP.

“We are currently working with Develop Training to develop an online induction booking process which will bring added efficiency to tRIIO’s business through increased data accuracy, with the added benefit of supporting our drive to become a greener company by reducing the amount currently used in association with booking training.”

Chris Wood, Chief Executive of Develop Training, said: “I am especially thrilled to see tRIIO making full use of our LAP. The implementation of our contract with tRIIO demanded the integration and management of thousands of training records which was made possible in short order only through the use of our LAP application. As with some of other clients, tRIIO are now able to book courses proactively and easily, and are thus experiencing significantly enhanced operational efficiencies.”

  Case Studies

Develop Training has taken its expertise overseas to support Israel’s biggest gas provider, PazGas, as the country switches to natural gas.

PazGas is already the largest provider of LPG certification within Israel, and have a well established specialist training division to provide gas engineers with the knowledge they need.

The challenge

Israel has traditionally used LPG as its main source of gas for domestic and industrial use; however, the discovery of the Tamar and Leviathan natural gas fields in 2009/10 has kick-started a nationwide move to take advantage of the resource.

In order to make this possible, Israel’s gas technician must become certified in natural gas, a considerable task for a country unused to the specific requirements of working with this method. Bringing the company up-to-speed with natural gas was deemed to be a vital part of Israeli gas strategy by the authorities.

In the interest of quality and safety, the Israeli government stipulated to PazGas that such certification must be internationally sourced, prompting PazGas to find a reputable training provider.

The solution

The training programme required Develop Training specialists to visit Israel to ‘train the trainers,’ so that PazGas could add natural gas to its well-known training division. Develop Training was recommended to PazGas by Jim Buswell, a UK-based expert in gas.

“After a successful meeting, we recognised that Develop Training had exactly the credentials and expertise required for the project.” Tzvika Pomerantz, Training & Development Manager at PazGas.

Jim Donnelly, Gas Delivery Manager at Develop Training, managed the ambitious project, which involved trainers flying to Israel to pass on knowledge to PazGas’ own trainers. Develop has successfully trained 22 individuals, who were the first in Israel to be accredited in natural gas to the required standard.

The results

Following the training PazGas has already started to deliver its own training programme to create a new generation of natural gas operatives across the country, giving the company a significant advantage in terms of meeting Israel’s changing energy needs as the leading expert in natural gas training.

Develop Training has provided extensive training materials to assist PazGas with this process.

“Around 80% of the material we use originated with Develop Training, which we have then amended to make bespoke to our specific requirements,” explains Tzvika Pomerantz, Training & Development Manager at PazGas.

Tzvika goes on to say: “We are extremely satisfied – as are the Israeli authorities – with the quality and effectiveness of the courses provided by Develop Training,” he adds. “They have provided us with the tools to help oversee this vital transition in Israel’s infrastructure, and the speed and service at which they implemented our training programme has helped us become the first provider to offer fully accredited courses to Israel’s gas technicians.”

  Case Studies

Optimistic future for Utility Apprenticeships – National Grid.

There is a new air of optimism in the utility sector with the industry set to recruit over 200,000 utility apprentices over the next 10 years.

At the helm of this major boost is the Government’s pilot scheme, The Employers Ownership of Skills (EOS), which has received £33million to create 70,000* learning opportunities to help  secure the UK’s energy and utilities future workforce.

Significant investment in training will ensure sustainability

Since 2004, Develop Training has provided training for over 2000 apprentices for leading utilities companies such as National Grid. The company is looking ahead to the next decade to ensure the industry has the highest qualified engineers and support staff possible.

John Kerr, Business Director, Utilities Division at Develop Training commented: “The EOS scheme has given the sector a much needed boost which will go a long way to securing the future of the utilities workforce. We  already work closely with clients to create bespoke  apprenticeship programmes and are proud of our 95% retention and achievement rate. I have no doubt that the EOS funding will re‐energise the opportunity for people secure an engineering  apprenticeship. This in turn will ensure the right skills are developed to create a sustainable work force and keep our utility assets in safe hands for the long term future.”

An Apprentice view

New Blood for the Gas Networks Industry

Rhys  Phillips, a 19 year old from Northampton, was chosen by National Grid as one of its  ten 2013 gas network apprentices and is undertaking an EAL Diploma in Gas Emergency with  Develop Training. The theoretical and practical apprenticeship modules assess students  understanding via simulated assessment, written test and on line examinations.

Rhys spoke about his utility apprenticeship and career plans: “I chose a utility apprenticeship as I felt it was the best way to gain hands on work experience whilst studying. Over the next 10 years I would like to work my way up to a management role and maybe become a Regional Manager at National Grid. I know that the skills shortage is a real concern for the industry so I hope other young people will benefit from more apprenticeships being available.”

The National Grid view

Apprenticeships will protect the future of our utility assets

Glynn Barber, Technical Academy Manager at National Grid spoke about utility company’s future vision for apprenticeships: “Apprenticeships are a key means of delivering a skilled, dynamic workforce and giving young people futures and careers that they can be proud of. However, for the utilities sector it’s much more than this. Offering apprenticeships will help National Grid and other utilities companies to develop the skills needed to operate our vital national assets to the highest standards. Develop Training has been a key partner in helping us create and deliver our incredibly successful training and apprenticeship programmes over the last decade.”

Fast Facts

• Just 13% of the 500,000 apprenticeships placed each year are in engineering – this is set to increase following the EOS investment.
• 200,000* replacement utility workforce required by 2023, this means 50%* of the current utility workforce will need to be replaced.
• £33million* Government investment in EOS pilot scheme with 67 employers will match this funding to train new and existing staff.
• 70,000* learning opportunities are expected to be delivered by the EOS pilot scheme.
• 2000 utility apprenticeships ran by Develop Training Ltd since 2004, attending 150,000 training days across the UK.
• 95% retention and 95% achievement rates are delivered by Develop Training Ltd.

Sources:

* Data source: Employer Ownership Scheme
** Data source: BIS data service – 13% of apprenticeships in the UK were placed in the engineering sector 2012/13

  Case Studies

A joint venture between Morrison Utility Services and Skanska began 8 years ago and as the contracts nears completion, Develop caught up with Joanne Green, Training and Competence Manager at tRIIO to talk about the distance travelled and how working together to continue to improve the way training and competence is managed, led to perfecting an award winning booking system.

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 East of England, specialising in the delivery in the design and contracting services for the UK’s gas distribution network – replacing old mains, laying new ones, installing new connections to houses and commercial premises and helping with emergency response services.

What were the challenges?

The project was huge; on a scale like nothing before it, and when tRIIO and Develop Training agreed a five-year contract in early 2016 for the delivery of a programme of over 200 compliance, health and safety, and bespoke training courses to around 4,500 front-line operatives – it was always going to be a challenge for both businesses – but one they were both certainly ready for.

Develop had provided training to tRIIO in the past, prior to 2016, however, tRIIO’s training department scheduled courses, and delegates on those courses, using their own in-house system. This work was then necessarily duplicated on Develop’s systems, a process that was both time-consuming and inefficient for both companies. Such a process also left little time for tRIIO to manage the wider training and development needs, in conjunction with Develop, of nearly 2,500 staff.

What were the solutions and benefits?

Develop and Joanne worked together to build on the BookIT system and streamline the course booking process and provide easy access to data on gap analysis for sub contractors and to ensure ongoing contract compliance, with a suite of reports sent automatically to all managers/sub contractors with a gap action report. This new system was created, driven by Joanne, striving to want to improve what was on offer from off the shelf solutions. It is this vision that led to Joanne and her team working tirelessly with Develop to ensure the system was seamlessly and securely integrated between tRIIO’s and Develop. This instantly removed any duplication of effort and provided straightforward access to training records and data.

tRIIO has also been able to delegate much of the day-to-day responsibility for training to line managers in the field. Managers can now access BookIT directly. They can compare course availability with the identified training needs of operatives and make bookings directly onto appropriate courses. In the event that specific courses are unavailable line managers can now instantly request additional training via the portal. These requests are passed directly to tRIIO’s.

Learning & Development teams are able to review them quickly and efficiently, authorising or declining training as appropriate in line with legislative and corporate requirements and available budgets.

Data relating to course attendances and outcomes can now be easily accessed and, where necessary, management action taken quickly and effectively. The portal also provides a clear view of the compliance levels of operatives and a time-line for their reassessment or further training.

Comments on the project

Jo, 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 has resulted in us streamlining the overall process, through which we booked almost 2,000 training dates on within the first three months of using the system a huge achievement in a short space of time. An integral part of BookIt was the creation of the PDR portal, this revolutionised the way personal development was managed within the business, taking it from a time consuming spreadsheet based system to a fully automated, paperless, efficient and intuitive system. Automated emails were triggered at various points in the process to ensure a holistic approach was maintained through the whole PDR journey; it proved to be extremely efficient and saved countless hours and without a doubt improved the whole management and impact of PDR’s”.

“We also worked with Develop on an online induction booking process, this added efficiency to tRIIO’s business through increased data accuracy, with the added benefit of supporting our drive to become a greener company by reducing the amount currently used in association with booking training.”

John Kerr, Managing Director, Develop Training, said: “I remember back in 2016 first discussing the project with Joanne and distinctly recall her enthusiam for the project, despite its scale she knew even then it had the ability to change the way training was managed, designed and delivered; and it most certinaly has. Joanne should be exceptionally proud of this project; 8 years is a long time in any sector, especially utilities and seeing this project through from concept to project completion is a huge acheivement. 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”.

The system – BookIT

Develop managed and delivered the training of 5,596 operatives working across 88 different subcontractors. BookIT was shortlisted for an award for innovation. The system enabled a self service booking facility for all sub contractors as well as real time data on gap analysis and contract compliance.

Develop has a dedicated team for key accounts such as tRIIO which gives a single point of contact for booking, planning and ongoing support making planning seamless. In addition, Develop now offers innovative training solutions both blended, virtual and classroom.

  Case Studies

Apprenticeship programme instils new energy into NGN.

The latest cohort of apprentices at Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has passed with flying colours thanks to a programme partnership with Develop Training. NGN, which has offices in Leeds and Sunderland, supplies gas to much of the north of England.

All 15 apprentices on its latest programme have now completed their Gas Network Craftsperson L3 qualification and all of them have achieved a distinction across at least one of the four elements, with many achieving distinctions across all areas.

Labour of love

The company puts the success down to a “labour of love” that goes into its evolving apprenticeship programme, designed and delivered in partnership with Develop Training. NGN prides itself on being able to attract and retain the best people, along with ensuring a natural pipeline of talent. The company now has a group of engaged, enthusiastic and skilled young people – trained to the highest standards – to show for its investment.

Chris Adair, Training Manager for NGN, said the apprenticeship programme was also a positive way of helping address skills gaps in the sector as well as issues relating to an ageing workforce. “I’m passionate about our apprenticeships programmes due to the real impact they have on the business and our employees,” said Chris.

“We are so proud of their achievements and it’s testament to the partnership we have with Develop Training. The apprenticeship programme has been a labour of love and has evolved over the last few years.”

Programme success

He said that the reason for the programme’s success was due in part to the “truly collaborative approach” with Develop Training and the continuous work towards ensuring the qualifications were in line with business and sector needs and that the qualifications developed, engaged and challenged all participants.

“Additionally, we need to ensure the skills, training and real life experiences are relevant and start to fill the skills gap and ageing workforce issues the industry faces,” said Chris.

Since the launch of the partnership between Develop and NGN there has been an increase in the number of apprentices and the range of apprenticeships offered by NGN. This further supports the variety of skills required across a wide range of services that NGN offers.

Chris added: “These programmes continue at pace, with a number of new cohorts already in place and beginning their apprenticeship journey with us. I continue to be excited about the future of apprenticeships at NGN and the opportunities they provide.”

Comments from Develop

“We’ve worked really closely with Chris and the team at NGN over the past few years to ensure the programmes we offer not only provide the right training and qualifications via structured development pathways but they provide real opportunities to learn the NGN way, methods and processes to help support the pathway and talent required at NGN for both now and in the future.

“The apprenticeships offer the opportunity to achieve a quality, industry relevant qualification and provide potential for future personal development.”

Kate Denial, Key Account Manager Apprenticeships, Develop Training.