13 October 2023         News

In the world of professional development, practical training plays a vital role in preparing individuals for real-world challenges. Develop Training, known for its dedication to providing high quality training to the utilities industry, last week hosted a NCO Gas Level 2 Escape, Locate & Repair training course at its York training centre.

A prime example of Develop’s commitment to delivering high-quality utilities training, the highlight of this particular course was the practical element, where delegates had the opportunity to test their skills on Training Terrace—a fully to-scale artificial street designed to simulate real-world scenarios. This immersive experience enabled delegates to practice essential tasks related to gas network construction, escape procedures, locating faults, and making necessary repairs, all while ensuring utmost safety.

Gas training in a controlled, safe and realistic environment

Training Terrace consists of three purpose-built houses, street scene, a café, a deep excavation pit and a confined spaces area.

The street looks and appears as a regular street would but each area has been specifically designed for training purposes. This allows Develop to deliver courses in emergency response to gas incidents, as well as excavation safety, cable avoidance, ACS gas, street lighting, drains, sewer jetting and confined spaces entry. Benefits to delegates include a realistic training environment, development of skills in a controlled setting, problem-solving opportunities, real-life collaboration and teamwork and increased confidence in their applying their skills back in the workplace.

Practical training for gas engineering professionals

This hands-on training experience undoubtedly left the gas engineering professionals better equipped to tackle the challenges in their day jobs constructing and maintain the UK’s extensive gas network, where precision and safety are paramount. By gaining practical exposure, delegates could refine their skills and improve their on-the-job performance in a completely safe, yet highly realistic environment.

       

Further information on Training Terrace

For more information about Training Terrace and the courses available at this state-of-the-art facility in York, please visit: www.developtraining.co.uk/training-terrace

Alternatively, contact our friendly Customer Service team on 0800 876 6708 or email enquiries@developtraining.co.uk

   10 October 2023         Blogs

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Foundation’s mental health day (10th October) is ‘mental health is a universal human right’. We want to take this opportunity to remind everyone of our open-door policy for any of our colleagues, delegates or customers who may be struggling with anxiety, stress, or depression.

Develop is part of the JTL Group, so we want to ensure that you’re aware of the free and accessible resources available on fellow JTL Group member, JTL Training’s, TuneUp channel. Here you can find a collection of videos that cover topics including mental health and provide our guidance for staying healthy.

Here at Develop we offer an open-door policy and openly encourage any of our delegates suffering from the effects of poor mental health to come and talk to us. We are always keen to support our delegates wherever possible, we just need you to speak to us and let us know.

Useful links

mind

Mates In Mind

   5 October 2023        News

National Dyslexia Week, which runs from 2nd to 7th October, aims to raise awareness of the condition whilst breaking down stigmas and providing resources to better support dyslexic individuals.

Dyslexia is a neurological condition that affects reading, writing, and language processing. It affects people in all walks of life and it is estimated that up to 10% of the population is affected by it. It is crucial to understand that it’s not just about the challenges these individuals face, as many people with dyslexia possess unique strengths such as creativity, problem-solving, and innovative thinking. These are attributes that are invaluable, especially in the hands-on and practical environments that many of our delegates are used to in their working lives.

At Develop we are committed to supporting our delegates with their learning experience wherever we can. If you require any extra support from while you are learning with us please do not hesitate to speak to your Trainer or let the Centre Administer know upon your arrival. Alternatively, follow the guidance on your Joining Instructions which will be sent to you prior to your course – these will let you know how to report any additional learning needs in advance of your training course.

In the meantime, if you have any queries please don’t hesitiate to contact our Customer Service team on 0800 876 6708 / enquiries@developtraining.co.uk

   02 October 2023        News

Develop Training has secured a contract to deliver essential Low Voltage Electrical training for Belfast Health and Social Care (BHSCT). BHSCT is a large health and social care organisation in Northern Ireland and this one year contract with Develop will provide approximately 70 Estates staff with crucial low voltage electrical skills, including both Authorised and Competent Person training.

Develop’s success in securing this contract underscores its established reputation for providing training programmes across sectors such as Utilities, Construction, Defence, Healthcare, Facilities Management, and Telecommunications. The organisation’s ability to consistently deliver high-quality and respected training provision has paved the way for strong relationships with a number of respected organisations throughout the UK and Northern Ireland.

Low voltage electrical training award

This Low Voltage contract follows the award in February this year, of a High Voltage training contract with BHSCT also.

“We are pleased to have been selected to provide Low Voltage Electrical training for Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. This continued partnership showcases Develop Training’s proficiency in delivering tailored training solutions that address our clients’ unique needs,” noted Nichola Kitching, Senior Account Manager at Develop Training.

“Our commitment to enhancing the technical skills of professionals working in estates management and healthcare engineering is essential in delivering an effective service, keeping the environment safe for the care of patients, clients and service users.”

A strong partnership for HV & LV electrical training

Damian Horisk, Head of Estates Strategic Investment at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said, “BHSCT is committed to being one of the safest, most effective and compassionate health and social care organisations, and it’s essential for the Trust to partner with organisations who share this vision. We are pleased to work in partnership with Develop Training on this contract and look forward to continuing our successful working relationship with them.”

For more details about Develop Training and its wide range of electrical training solutions, visit: https://www.developtraining.co.uk/training/estates-and-facilities-management/electrical-and-mechanical/

   27 September 2023        News

Develop Training, one of the UK’s leading accredited providers of compliance, technical and safety training, has partnered with National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) to deliver a highly successful, bespoke leadership & management training programme centred around modern managerial skills.

NGED delivers a safe and reliable electricity supply to 8 million customers in the Midlands, South West and South Wales. Following the results of a recent internal survey, NGED saw the need to equip their managers with the necessary skills to be leaders of the future. In recognising the need to work alongside an expert training provider, NGED appointed Develop.

Develop’s intial remit was to provide a one-day mental resilience and cognitive agility course for NGED’s mid-level managers to help them better understand how their thoughts, emotions and behaviours may impact other team members.

However, due to the overwhelming positive response surrounding the training programme, the senior leadership team at NGED were keen to roll the training out to all levels within the organisation.

In view of the success of the project, NGED also challenged Develop to create a more advanced, two-year long curated training programme designed to meet National Grid’s needs.

Emotionally intelligent leadership skills

The bespoke programme, Building High Performing Teams, is specifically designed to support managers’ personal wellbeing, equip them with the communication skills required and foster more emotionally intelligent leadership within the business.

These intrinsic skills greatly help to elevate the managers’ proficiency, increasing their capability to navigate difficult day-to-day challenges and improving their ability to build relationships with their co-workers.

To achieve such a suitable training programme, Develop needed to gain a deep understanding of NGED’s culture, key processes and pressure points. Therefore, Develop arranged for organisational specialists to conduct comprehensive site visits and engage with senior leaders and operational managers to understand their unique pressures, challenges and aspirations.

Leadership training programme delivery

The programme is delivered on National Grid premises over six days for cohorts of up to ten managers, involving practical and interactive activities across a range of topics such as identifying the impact of communication styles, promoting high performing team traits, and creating a culture of collective intelligence.

Since beginning in September 2022, the programme remains in high demand and has received a 100% positive feedback rating between January and April 2023. Currently, the training has been delivered to almost 2,000 employers and is due to continue into 2024 and beyond.

Training the leaders of the future

By crafting a training programme that perfectly aligns with NGED’s needs, Develop has helped shape the future of leadership, ensuring that the leaders of tomorrow are well-equipped with the skills, insights and emotional intelligence to excel in their roles and drive organisational success.

Kate Denial, Cross Industry Training Manager at Develop, commented: “Working with National Grid Electricity Distribution has been a real pleasure. Initially, we were only partnering with them on a one-day course, but thanks to overwhelmingly positive feedback and results, we have vastly expanded our relationship to include a two-year training programme to boost employee performance across the board.

Our work together really demonstrates the value of proper collaboration, employee investment, and dedicated expertise.”

Ian Payne, Chief People Officer at National Grid Electricity Distribution, said: “Our collaboration with Develop has been transformative. The bespoke training programme it has provided has not only elevated the skills and capabilities of our managers but has also had a positive ripple effect throughout our entire organisation.

The emphasis on modern managerial skills, as well as personal wellbeing, has been invaluable in navigating the challenges of our dynamic industry. We commend Develop for their dedication and expertise in understanding our unique needs and delivering a programme that has exceeded our expectations.”

Further leadership & management resources

Find out more about the Building High Performing Teams and Mental Resilience training programmes Develop designed and delivered for NGED by reading our Case Studies.

View our full range of Leadership & Management training programmes here: https://www.developtraining.co.uk/training/leadership-and-management/

   15 September 2023        News

Develop, the UK’s leading accredited provider of compliance, technical, and safety training, has unveiled its new look training centre in Derby following an extensive refurbishment.

The renovations to the centre were made possible by a £500k investment from Develop and its parent company JTL, to upgrade its classrooms with state-of-the-art technology, as well as a full refurbishment of the centre’s offices. The initial 16-week refurbishment project also involved modernising the centre’s communal spaces including the reception, café, toilets, and breakout areas.

With phase one now complete, delegates can also look forward to phase two of the project, which will involve a full refurbishment of all the practical training facilities and additional classrooms due to further significant investment from Develop.

Enhanced training delivery

As a result, Develop can deliver more courses for local and nationwide businesses covering a range of compliance and safety training across a number of industries including construction, defence, facilities management, healthcare, telecommunication, and utilities.

Located in the heart of Derby, the training centre benefits from close transport links to the M1 and A38, making it highly accessible for businesses across the region.

Further refurbishments on the horizon

Matthew Gray, Operations Manager at Develop, said: “We couldn’t be happier with the results of the refurbishment of our Derby centre so far, as we are now able to offer our delegates cutting-edge technology and facilities as a result of the upgrades. Looking ahead, we are excited to progress the project further when we start phase two. This is the second training centre we’ve upgraded this year and the investment made by Develop demonstrates our commitment to providing high-quality training to delegates and businesses delivered by our expert trainers.”

Further information about the Derby training centre and the courses it can facilitate is available here: https://resources.developtraining.co.uk/develop-training-centre-capability-sheet

   07 September 2023        News

Develop Training held its annual Employee Conference on the 4th & 5th September 2023 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon. The overarching theme for this year was ‘growth’, with employees actively engaging in a number of presentations and team-building activities centered around this topic.

The event was also an occasion for celebration as we acknowledged our wonderful team with several awards, all voted for by Develop employees. We’re now delighted to share news of the five winners and some of the reasons as to why they received their awards…

Best Colleague Award – Stuart Gilby

Nominations from Stuart’s colleagues cited his outstanding teamwork and support, his willingness to share expertise and guidance, his constant enthusiasm and dedication and a smiling face!

Customer Service Award – Rachel Banks

Rachel won this award as she was delivering superb customer service. Rach is excellent with dealing with difficult situations and keeps calm and remains professional and friendly, doing her best to resolve the issue or query as a matter of urgency – therefore giving the delegate or client an excellent customer service experience.

Extra Mile Award – Georgie Rowbotham

It is hard to believe that Georgie only joined Develop in January this year – it seems like she has been here forever! As soon as she joined she instantly became a hit with the leaners and the trainers. She has continually shown her dedication and commitment, constantly going over and above what is required of her.

Trainer of the Year – Clive Myatt

Clive has taken it upon himself to absorb the feedback and development areas identified through observations and formal training, and through this, he regularly receives thanks, cards and sometimes even gifts from his delegates.

He has been described in his nominations as kind and calm when delivering training, helpful to those who delegates aren’t the most confident to get through a course, a team player who can often be found helping to set up colleagues’ classrooms and helping with equipment.

Employee of the Year – Stephanie Kingdon

The recipient of this award possesses a true entrepreneurial spirit and has been responsible for genuine growth in the Leadership & Management division. Consistently excellent feedback from delegates and strategically important customers has led to improved relationships that provide growth in complimentary areas of competency. There are many people in Develop that have benefited from this persons’ generosity in time and support, and in knowing that the support is there for anyone who wishes to accept it. A very much deserved award.

With many outstanding nominations being submitted this year, our Senior Leadership Team faced the challenging task of selecting the ultimate honorees and it was certainly a difficult decision! We extend our congratulations to all the nominees; your recognition is a testament to your remarkable contributions.

We look forward to another fantastic year of growth at Develop and here’s to another successful Employee Conference under our belts.

   11 September 2023        News

Gas Safety Week is happening from September 11th to 17th, 2023, and it’s all about keeping you and your loved ones safe when it comes to gas.

We’re Develop Training, the UK’s leading provider of Compliance, Technical, and Safety training, and we’re fully behind the Gas Safety Week message for 2023.

Gas is a crucial part of many homes, so here are some easy tips to help you stay gas safe:

1. Get a Carbon Monoxide Detector: This is one of the simplest things you can do to protect your family. Carbon monoxide is a silent and odourless killer, but these detectors will alert you when it’s in the air.
2. Watch for Warning Signs: If anything seems strange, like unusual smells, warning lights, or alarms, don’t hesitate to call a Gas Safe registered engineer. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. You can find a Gas Safe Registered Engineer here.
3. Check Your Engineer: Before letting anyone work on your gas appliances, make sure they’re on the Gas Safe Register. You can easily verify this using their 7-digit license number, found on their Gas Safe ID card. Then simply place it here. It is an all too common occurrence to see incidents involving gas making the headlines – to read about a recent case of this, take a look at our most recent news article here.
4. New Home Precautions: If you’re moving into a new home, ask the previous owners for paperwork about gas appliances. It’s also a good idea to have them tested for safety.
5. Regular Appliance Checks: Save money and avoid serious problems by getting your gas appliances checked regularly. This ensures they run efficiently and safely, preventing leaks, fires, or health issues.

These five tips are your ticket to a gas-safe home. For more information on Gas Safety Week, visit the Gas Safe Register website. And if you’re interested in our domestic and commercial gas training courses, take a look here. on our website.

Stay safe!

   11 September 2023        News

Introducing Our New Team Member, Brandon Clark

At Develop, we’re always excited to welcome new talent to our team, and today, we are thrilled to introduce you to our newest member, Brandon Clark. Brandon joins us as an F-Gas Trainer and will be an integral part of our Estates and Facilities Management team.

But that’s not all; Brandon is also set to embark on Develop’s Emerge and Evolve programme, an initiative aimed at “training the trainer.” This programme provides individuals with extensive industry experience, like Brandon, the opportunity to acquire teaching qualifications, enabling them to become trainers themselves. You can find out more about this programme here: [insert link[]

A Journey Rooted in Dedication

Brandon’s journey in the world of refrigeration and air conditioning began in 2015 when he embarked on his career as an apprentice. He successfully completed his Level 2 NVQ and then continued on to conquer the Level 3. After successfully concluding his apprenticeship, he remained with the same company, but this time, not as an apprentice – as an engineer.

While most people anticipate the summer as a time for relaxation, for Brandon, as an air-conditioning engineer, it meant facing a relentless workload.

A Teacher at Heart

During his tenure as an engineer, Brandon found himself mentoring a group of apprentices. As he shared his knowledge and experience, he realised that this was where his true passion lay. Brandon aspired to take the next step in his career, one that would allow him to continue nurturing the talents of budding professionals. – and this is where Develop came in.

With a distinct lack of trainers in the sector, Develop has created an innovative training programme that trains those working ‘hands on’ in various industries to become trainers of the future. This enables professionals to get ‘off the tools’ and into a sustainable, long-term training career as well as pass on their invaluable skills to inspire and educate the next generation. Brandon is one of the first people to join this programme and we look forward to seeing his journey progress.

Life Beyond Work

Beyond his professional life, Brandon is an active individual. Running and gym workouts are his go-to activities but he also enjoys a spot of hiking. Located in Hull, he often ventures into the North Yorkshire Moors, Yorkshire Dales, and even the Lake District, relishing the breathtaking landscapes and peaceful moments these regions offer.

A Warm Welcome to Brandon Clark

We’re excited to have Brandon join our team at Develop. His wealth of experience and passion for teaching make him an excellent addition to our Estates & Facilities Management team.

So, please join us in extending a warm welcome; we look forward to the valuable contributions he’ll bring to our team and the exciting journey ahead!

   04 September 2023        News

Develop Training, one of the UK’s leading accredited providers of compliance, technical and safety training, has launched its new talent development programme which seeks to encourage skilled individuals from across the utility sector, to become industry-leading trainers and help inspire the next generation of talent.

The aim of the campaign is to develop those already working ‘hands on’ in the sector to become inspirational trainers and offers an incentive package. The package includes a £5,000 bonus for all new directly employed trainers from industry, formal training and qualifications such as the Training, Assessment and Quality Assurance (TAQA3) and the Award in Education and Training (AET), alongside the company’s new induction programme and a dedicated, highly experienced programme mentor.

Emerge & Evolve Recruitment and Training Programme

The innovative project named ‘Emerge’ is all about creating new pathways for talented and experienced people in the sector and providing them with the opportunity to consider furthering their career with a move into adult education and training.

Develop is in particular seeking to recruit engineers in areas such as electrical and mechanical, New Roads And Street Works (NRSWA), water systems and legionella, gas distribution, the Gas Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS), general health and safety, and management development.

Matthew Gray, Head of Operations & Training at Develop, said: “This is a real sector-first opportunity for those experienced hands-on workers looking for a new opportunity and career path to begin to build a career in training. This will allow them to use all the experience they have to inspire and educate the sector’s workforce and help towards future proofing skills in utilities.”

Another part of this trailblazing programme, known as ‘Evolve’, seeks to develop existing trainers by providing mentors, qualifications, and further development opportunities – all with the aim of ensuring Develop’s trainers are ‘industry-leading’. This project also seeks to help support and address the ageing workforce issues in this sector and aims to plug the skills gap in this area.

Steve Smith, Quality Assurance Auditor and Technical Expert at Develop, added: “Having worked in the industry and for Develop since 2004, I was really excited by the opportunity to use my knowledge and experience to help influence the next generation of trainers. The Emerge and Evolve recruitment project has helped me to develop new skills as a mentor and also renewed by passion for the industry and enabled me to work with trainers who are new to the role to help develop their skills and confidence to help them become the future of the sector.”

To find out more about the programme and apply please contact Develop’s Recruitment Team: emerge@developtraining.co.uk or 0800 876 6708