17 January 2023         News

Develop Training would like to extend a warm welcome to Joseph Hammond, who began working for Stuart Gilby last week, as an Electrotechnical Trainer.

Joe began his career by completing an Electricians Apprenticeship and getting hands-on in industry. Throughout his career he has received many great opportunities from supermarket fit outs, domestic rewiring and motor installations to the Olympic Project and installation infrastructure for the high speed 1 rail link!

He has worked all over the UK and Europe as a contractor before settling into a repairs manager role for the Local Housing Authority before moving to work in a local college as a trainer, this was something he was reluctant to undertake at first however, by his own admittance this was the best move of his career!

Joseph said: “Recently, a learner who I nominated for a recognition award won Apprentice of the year, I was so very proud of her. I have faced many challenges in the electrical industry from jobs going wrong, clients not paying through to supplies not being delivered, but the challenges I have relished the most are the learners who needed that extra to get them over the line. I have worked alongside some excellent individuals who needed a break in industry, and although they were a challenge to get them there, they put the work in and achieved.”

He added: “I love working with electricians, apprentices, and learners from all walks of life and helping to develop their skills to achieve.”

Away from work

Joseph enjoys playing Table Tennis, walking, and spending time with his wife and two children. He loves reading and has a geeky interest in medieval history and gives guided tours of Lincoln Castle!

   27 May 2021         News

Bright sparks at Develop Training have created an industry “first” with the launch of a blended training course for workers who handle high voltage electrical systems.

The course, titled Authorised Person: High Voltage (AP15b), was the result of careful research with clients following unforeseen changes to course delivery due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Develop Training, the UK’s leading accredited provider of compliance, technical and safety training, had transferred a number of its courses to virtual, online delivery since the beginning of the pandemic.

Positive feedback from employers and employees

As a result of the positive feedback from clients, Develop recognised that, while a high level of practical, on-site training was absolutely essential for many courses, some online provision was also useful.

Now, a range of “blended” programmes, comprising a combination of online and in-person learning, have been designed as alternatives to Develop’s traditional versions of the courses.

Authorised Person: High Voltage training

The first of these courses to be launched, the Authorised Person: High Voltage (AP15b) blended learning training course, has recently been piloted at Develop’s Swindon training centre.

Viktors Nikolajevs, Estates & FM Training Manager for Develop Training, said: “It’s been a huge success. The pandemic was no doubt the catalyst for these blended programmes, but the model has certainly won praise from both our clients, and learners themselves.”

An industry first

“The AP15b course is an industry first – no one has offered a similar blended learning programme for a high voltage course before. So we’re proud to say we’re first on the grid!”

The popularity of the blended training programmes is partly down to the added flexibility it offers to learners and their employers during the challenging times created by COVID19.

A number of benefits over the traditional approach

Instead of running the course over five consecutive days at a Develop training centre, learners now have up to two months to complete a number of online modules – in their own time – before having to attend the training centre for just three days.

Individual modules within each session are also reduced to a maximum of 30-minutes of online attendance rather than up to three hours at a training centre on the standard course model.

Viktors continued: “From an employer’s perspective, employees will spend less time off-site, therefore reducing travelling costs and overtime. It’s a win-win.”

A great learning experience

Industry employees who have attended the pilot blended course agree:

Ian Yates, Electrical Safety Manager for Welsh Water, was part of the first cohort on the pilot course. He said “there was a lot of technical information to absorb on the online theory section, so having more time to complete it was hugely beneficial as long as participants took advantage of the availability of course tutors online.

“It comes down to being disciplined. It’s important that learners schedule the time into their work diaries, then use the opportunities available to contact tutors – and they also may be able to ask someone in their own organisation if they begin to struggle with any element of the course.

“The blended course was a great learning experience, and I particularly liked the online part. I’d definitely recommend it.”

   10 May 2021         News

Numerous changes to the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing (PAT Testing) were introduced in late 2020.

The latest edition is a significant revision with new guidance on the testing requirements and frequency of inspection and testing amongst other aspects.

It will affect all business owners and duty-holders who own or maintain electrical equipment in the workplace.

Watch the webinar on-demand

Presented by industry electrical expert Robbie Macdonald, Develop’s on-demand webinar gives an overview of:

• In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (5th Ed.)
• The changes to the IET Code of Practice
• Why ‘Portable Appliance Testing’ is no more
• What this means for business owners and duty-holders