Career Opportunities

   23 November 2023         News

Develop Training, the UK’s leading accredited provider of Compliance, Technical, and Safety training, proudly unveiled its newest training centre in Norwich on Friday 17th November. The centre is on the same site as its parent company, JTL, one of the leading apprenticeship providers in England and Wales. Both centres were officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor James Wright. 

Norwich is the home of JTL’s very first training facility, which opened seven years ago. However, with the growing demand for electrical and gas apprenticeships and related short courses in the local area, Develop and JTL recognised the need for a larger and more advanced centre. 

£1.5m investment into electrical and gas training in Norwich

 The £1.5 million investment highlights the JTL Group’s continuous commitment to nurturing the next generation of electrical and plumbing and heating apprentices, and upskilling professionals who require ACS Gas, Electrical, Gas Distribution and Street Works training programmes. 

 Accompanied by JTL Group Chair, Sir John Low, and Chief Executive, Chris Claydon, Councillor James Wright toured the new training hub, and took the opportunity to meet with members of the Develop & JTL teams.

The Norwich centre joins Develop’s expanding network of national training centres and comprises modern classrooms, electrical and gas workshops, kitchen facilities and outdoor training areas for gas distribution and street works (NRSWA) training courses. For further information on Develop’s UK-wide training centres please visit our locations page.

Find out which courses the centre can facilitate by downloading our Norwich centre training brochure

   23 November 2023         Blogs

Every individual working on equipment containing fluorinated gases must hold a personal F-Gas qualification/certificate. Every business entity, whether working as a sole trader or a limited company, must hold a company registration certificate (REFCOM) for any work involved with any part of an installation, repairs, servicing, maintenance, or decommissioning.

This means that someone working as a sole trader must be registered as a company as well as hold their individual F-Gas certification i.e. City & Guilds 2079-11, BESA FGas, CITB J11, or LCL FGas.

Qualifications for new entrants to the refrigeration, air-conditioning and/or heat pump industries

If you want to work in the Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and/or Heat Pump Industry, installing, servicing and leak checking systems the City & Guilds Award in F-Gas and ODS Regulations: Category I – Leak checking, recovery, installation, service, maintenance of equipment qualification is the legal minimum requirement.

Suitable for new entrants to the industry or those with no previous training, Category 1 f – gas means you are able to carry out any of the controlled activity on any size system.

There are, however, a number of different F-Gas qualification levels. These are as follows:

• F-Gas Category 1 covers the installation, service, maintenance, recovery and leakage checking of stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment with a charge more than 3kg or 6kg (if hermetically sealed).
• F-Gas Category 2 covers equipment with a charge of less than 3kg (6kg if hermetically sealed).
• F-Gas Category 3 covers refrigerant recovery from stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment.
• F-Gas Category 4 covers leak checking of stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment.

How do I apply for a F-Gas Category 1 certificate?

Develop Training are able to offer F-Gas Cat 1 (City & Guilds 2079-11) training course at centres across the UK including, York, Swindon, Derby, Manchester, Linlithgow (Scotland), Norwich, Brentwood & Birmingham. Our equipment is mobile so we can also deliver bespoke F-Gas training at a location of your choice. The training course is certified under the City & Guilds 2079-11 scheme.

Find out more about the F Gas Category 1 training course here: https://www.developtraining.co.uk/courses/electrical-and-mechanical/f-gas-fluorinated-gases-electrical-and-mechanical/f-gas-cat1-city-guilds-2079-11/

   20 November 2023         Blogs

For this month’s Meet the Team blog, we’re introducing our Organisational Development Consultant, Hanna Magdziarek, who is currently in the process of developing a bespoke mentoring and coaching programme for Develop.

A passion for personal development

Hanna’s career in developing people started several years ago following her first master’s degree. She subsequently became a qualified English teacher, training adult learners in organisation’s.

Hanna explains, “I’ve always enjoyed working with individuals who become responsible partners in the process of learning and help to co-create it. This experience led me to search for roles in the higher education sector, where, at least in my experience, there is a lot of emphasis on personal and professional development and support for the employee.

After almost 10 years working for a top 10 global university, which helped me explore and develop my skills and experience in areas of interests such as Leadership, Operational Excellence, Performance Coaching and Wellbeing, I set up my own coaching and training consultancy and worked with a range of clients from the HE, Finance and Utilities sectors as a consultant and trainer, and individual clients as an executive coach.”

Hanna continues, “I found setting up my own consultancy so rewarding and fulfilling that it inspired me to continue my higher education in MSc Business and Organisational Psychology, which opened new doors for me in people development.”

Hanna also has a keen interest and experience in delivering the ‘operational excellence’ methodology she often  revisits while improving organisational processes and systems.

Hanna’s role at Develop

Hanna joined Develop in December 2022 as an Organisational Development Consultant. A crucial element of her role is designing and delivering courses that allow delegates to maximise their leadership effectiveness and positive impact to their team.

Hanna delivers a wide range of short courses, typically lasting between one to five days and covering topic areas such as mental resilience and cognitive flexibility, managing oneself and positive communication. Whist the majority of Hanna’s courses are delivered virtually, she also travels to organisations to deliver face-to-face sessions.

In my role, I work with client organisations by advising, designing, delivering and evaluating training to help current and future leaders embrace the challenges of contemporary leadership that stem from the slightly cliché, but still true, VUCA world (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous)). This helps them to become more people-oriented, nurturing leaders.”

Hanna’s role at Develop involves training and helping organisations to define their challenges and needs, and designing a suitable intervention for them to overcome these challenges.

All employers need to create a return-on-investment and my role at Develop is to ensure that the training we provide to our clients is both evidence-based and professional, as well as learner-centred, considering individual needs and aligning these with clients’ organisational goals.”

Introducing Develop’s new mentoring and coaching programme

Recently, Hanna has been in the process of creating and trialling a brand-newcoaching and mentoring programme for Develop, in response to the increasing need for leaders to be able to coach and mentor staff.

Our programme has been designed to take leaders through the experience of being coached and a deep self-analysis, including several psychometrics exercises, to let them become acquainted with the process and the value coaching and mentoring bring to the table. The programme will provide opportunities to develop, practise and apply the coaching and mentoring thought processes, techniques and tools that delegates can go on to apply to their work immediately, all while being supported by a qualified and experienced coach.

The six-month programme will consist of monthly group sessions and 1-2-1 coaching. Individuals who partake in the course will get the opportunity to develop their listening and observation skills, empathy, communication, influencing and other supporting skills for coaching and mentoring.

Further information on the programme will be available shortly. To register your interest please click here.

Reflecting on highlights at Develop

Hanna is quickly approaching her one-year anniversary at Develop and reflects on her key successes so far, in particular, the development of the new mentoring and coaching programme.

Develop is unique because we are truly committed to tailoring our training to delegates’ needs, including accommodating specific learning needs.”

Another highlight during Hanna’s time at Develop has been receiving positive feedback from delegates who have attended training and felt that they were able to take away valuable tools to implement in their day-to-day roles.

I have had feedback from various delegates which has highlighted how engaging and eye-opening they found the sessions and that they could tell I was an expert in and a strong believer in what I was teaching them.”

Hanna plans to launch Develop’s new coaching and mentoring programme at the start of 2024, delivering it across different organisations’ mid to senior management teams to support them with building their coaching and mentoring skillset and to take their leadership to the next level. Click here to register your interest and be the first to find out more once it is released to the public in early 2024.

Further information on Hanna’s Mentoring & Coaching Training Programme will be released at the start of 2024. If you would like to register your interest in this course please do so here: https://resources.developtraining.co.uk/mentoring-coaching-leadership-register-interest

   15 November 2023         Blogs

To address the pressing concerns surrounding F-Gases, the European Union introduced the F-Gas Regulation 517/2014, which mandates a substantial 79% reduction in the use of HFCs between 2015 and 2030. With 2030 edging ever closer, this ambitious goal is on-track to be achieved through a phasedown approach, reducing the amount of HFCs available in the market and imposing stricter requirements for leak testing.

However, many businesses are still left wondering, what does it mean for me?

How does F-Gas Regulation 517/2014 affect my business?

If you manufacture, supply, use, install or service equipment containing F gases you must comply with legislation.

Here’s how these regulations affect your business:

1. Mandatory training requirements under F-Gas Regulation 517/2014

One of the most crucial aspects of the F-Gas Regulation is the requirement for all personnel and companies involved in handling, recovering, supplying, installing, manufacturing, maintaining, servicing, or owning equipment containing HFC refrigerants to be F-Gas certified. This means that all your employees who work with F-Gases must undergo specific training and obtain the necessary certifications. Without certified personnel, your business may not be in compliance with the law.

2. Impact on Day-to-Day Operations

If your business involves the use of equipment that contains F-Gases, such as refrigeration systems, air conditioning units, or fire protection systems, the regulations will affect your daily operations. You will need to ensure that trained and certified technicians handle tasks like installation, testing for leaks, general maintenance, and disposal or decommissioning. This could lead to changes in your workflow, staff training, and operational procedures.

3. Reporting and Record-Keeping for Businesses Using F-Gases

The F-Gas Regulation requires businesses to maintain detailed records of F-Gas use, including production, import, and export data within the EU. Compliance with these reporting requirements is essential to avoid potential fines and legal repercussions. It also means you need efficient systems in place for data collection and documentation.

4. Product Labelling for Items Containing Fluorinated Gases

Depending on the nature of your business and the products you deal with, you might be required to label certain products and equipment that contain F-Gases in accordance with the regulations. This ensures transparency and traceability in the supply chain.

5. Impact on Costs

Achieving compliance with F-Gas regulations may entail investing in employee training, equipment upgrades, and record-keeping systems. While these initial investments may increase operational costs, the long-term benefits include reduced emissions, environmental responsibility, and compliance with the law.

6. Environmental Responsibility

The primary goal of F-Gas regulations is to reduce and contain emissions of these potent greenhouse gases. By complying with these regulations, your business contributes to global efforts to combat climate change and minimise the environmental impact of F-Gases.

7. Non-Compliance with F-Gas Regulations Can Affect Market Access

In some cases, non-compliance with F-Gas regulations can affect your ability to access certain markets or participate in government contracts. Being in line with these regulations can enhance your business’s reputation and open up opportunities for collaboration and expansion.

In conclusion

F-Gas regulations have a direct impact on your business by necessitating employee training and certification, changing operational procedures, requiring data reporting and record-keeping, and promoting environmental responsibility. To ensure compliance and minimise disruption, it’s essential to stay informed about these regulations, invest in training and certification for your staff, and adapt your business practices to align with the requirements set by the F-Gas Regulation.

Further information on the regulations can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fluorinated-gases-f-gases

   14 November 2023        News

Introducing Daniel Laird, the newest member of Develop’s Sales Team

Dan has a diverse professional background that began in the sunny landscapes of Turkey, Gran Canaria, Rhodes, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote, where he worked as a holiday representative. Upon returning to the UK, Dan settled in Bedford and began turning up the heat on his sales journey by selling ovens. This path then led him to sales roles in marketing exhibition spaces, and garden log cabins & climbing frames, amongst others.

Originally hailing from Derby, Dan recently made the decision to move back with his partner, and reconnect with his family. Dan explains, “The pandemic was a particularly challenging time for me professionally as I was made redundant from my role selling exhibition stands and then I struggled to find a role I really gelled with. The pandemic also made me realised the importance of family and how much I missed being with them – hence, my move back home to Derby. I’m really excited to join the Develop team and get stuck in to my new role – everyone has been so welcoming so far.”

Beyond his professional life, it’s no surprise that Dan is an avid traveller, with Mauritius holding a special place as his favourite destination. Dan also recently tied the knot with his long-term partner of 15 years.

   06 November 2023         Blogs

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), found in refrigeration, fire protection, air conditioning, and heat pump systems, have come under the spotlight due to their powerful greenhouse gas properties, exacerbating global warming. These fluorinated greenhouse gases, commonly known as F-Gases, are a family of compounds containing fluorine, and their regulation has recently taken centre stage in efforts to mitigate their impact on our planet.

About F-Gas Regulation 517/2014

To address the pressing concerns surrounding F-Gases, the European Union introduced the F-Gas Regulation 517/2014, which mandates a substantial 79% reduction in the use of HFCs between 2015 and 2030. This ambitious goal is achieved through a phasedown approach, reducing the amount of HFCs available in the market and imposing stricter requirements for leak testing. But perhaps one of the most crucial components of this regulation is the emphasis on training and certification for technical personnel and companies involved in working with F-Gases.

The overall aim of F-Gas is to reduce and contain emissions by using responsible refrigeration. The regulations make reference to:

• Better containment of F-gases in their applications
• Recovery of F-gases from products and equipment reaching their end of life
• Training and certification of technical personnel and businesses working with F-gases
• Reporting of production, import and export data
• Labelling of certain products and equipment containing those gases

With common HFCs like HFC 404A and HFC 134a in refrigeration systems, HFC 23 and HFC 227ea in fire protection systems, and HFC 404A and HFC 410A in air conditioning and heat pump systems, a wide range of industries are directly impacted by these regulations.

Whether you operate, service, or maintain equipment that contains these potent greenhouse gases, it’s vital to understand the implications of this legislation for your business and your role within it.

Further information on the regulations can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fluorinated-gases-f-gases

These F-Gas regulations affect your business

Develop Training has recently seen a surge in F gas training requests, as employers are ensuring that their employees are undertaking this mandatory training requirement and they understand the impending changes and what they mean for their business.

Only trained technicians can carry out work on equipment containing F gases, including:

• installation
• testing for leaks
• general maintenance
• disposal or decommissioning when you no longer need the product

In this blog post, our F-Gas Trainer, Brandon Clark, delves into the world of F-Gases and answers some of the most frequently asked questions around F-Gas Regulation 517/2014.

Conclusion

At the heart of these regulations lies an essential component – the emphasis on training and certification for technical personnel and companies working with F-Gases. The goal is to ensure that those operating, servicing, or maintaining equipment containing F-Gases are equipped with the knowledge and skills to handle these substances responsibly and safely.

This is where Develop Training steps in. With the surge in F-Gas training requests, we understand the increasing demand for education and expertise in this field. Our City & Guilds 2079-11 scheme F-Gas Cat 1 training course has been meticulously designed to provide your employees with the essential training and certification required to meet these stringent regulations.

The Cat 1 F gas training course equips participants with the essential knowledge and hands-on expertise needed to perform tasks involving the setup, servicing, upkeep, refrigerant recovery, and leakage inspection of stationary refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump equipment with a refrigerant charge exceeding 3kg or 6kg (in cases of hermetically sealed systems).

With Develop Training, you can be confident that your staff will be well-prepared to handle these obligations effectively.

F-Gas Cat 1 2079-11 training course

Develop offer the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the intricacies of F-Gases, ensuring compliance with the law and minimising the environmental impact of your operations. Our comprehensive 5 day F-Gas Cat 1 course is delivered by a time-served, fully qualified NVQ Level 3 refrigeration engineer and covers a wide array of topics, including installation, leak testing, general maintenance, and disposal or decommissioning of equipment containing F-Gases.

Choose Develop Training and equip your team with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the challenges of F-Gas regulations head-on.

It’s not just a requirement; it’s a step towards a greener, more sustainable future for your business and our planet.

Our locations

Training can be offered at our Derby, Swindon, Manchester, Linlithgow, Brentwood or York based centres or at a location of your choice.

Contact us

Contact us today on 0800 876 6708 or enquiries@developtraining.co.uk to book a place on a training course or enquire about a bespoke course at a location of your choice.

   6 November 2023        News

A warm welcome to the latest addition to our Street Works team

Introducing Ben Blessett, the newest addition to the Develop team! Ben joins us as a Street Works (NRSWA) trainer. With over two years of experience as a trainer and a background in the industry, Ben’s journey into this role is an interesting one.

Ben’s career began with a summer job that evolved into a long-term career as a foreman and salesman for a marquee company. His responsibilities took him all over the country, setting up expansive event facilities, primarily for weddings. For many years, he thrived in this environment.

However, seeking a change, Ben accepted a friend’s suggestion to work on-site, erecting steel and timber frames. He immersed himself in this role for several years before eventually deciding to become a self-employed site manager.

During his time on the tools, Ben suffered repeated bouts of sciatica, a condition that significantly impacted his physically demanding role. It was at this point that the idea of transitioning into training was proposed. With his extensive industry experience, Ben recognised the opportunity to impart his knowledge to the next generation of tradespeople.

Ben said, “I’m absolutely thrilled to embark on this new adventure with the Develop team and I can’t wait to complete my introductory training and start meeting all our delegates.”

Beyond his professional life, Ben is an music enthusiast who enjoys attending concerts. Over the summer, he also discovered the serenity of open water swimming, a pastime he intends to continue even through the chilly winter months.

   06 November 2023         News

Just over one year ago, Develop Training cut the ribbon on its newly re-located Swindon training centre offering a one stop shop for electrical, gas distribution, water systems, and related training to the region and beyond.

Based at Unit 3 Richmond House, Edison Park, the training centre is purpose-built and sets out to recreate real-life working environments. The centre offers customers who want to upskill and develop their staff’s technical and management competencies and qualifications a wide range of qualifications including IOSH training, sewers & water jetting, legionella control and water systems compliance, confined spaces, low and high voltage electrical and much more.

As we celebrate the first anniversary, Develop is reflecting on the Swindon centre’s successful year so far, whereby a record number of High Voltage Authorised Person courses have taken place.

Feedback from delegates who have attended courses on-site has been extremely positive:

This course was the best Confined space course that I have done in my 30 years [at] Bristol Water. The delivery of the training was excellent, and the trainer took into account the varying levels of experience of the attendees. Both theory and practical elements were very good and provided me with some really good information that I will take away and use in my job role as a Manager and writer of Permits for confined space entry.” Delegate attending Level 2 Award in Working in Medium Risk Confined Spaces

The trainer delivery was excellent. Chris along with Mel, delivered the course really well and made it easy to understand and also included their wealth of experience and knowledge which is invaluable. The venue was very good, facilities were top notch and the availability of working switchgear is invaluable as a learning resource.” Delegate attending Authorised Person: High Voltage (Industrial and Commercial)

A year of celebration at Develop’s Swindon centre

Develop’s Head of Operations & Training, Matthew Gray, said the first year has been an exciting and rewarding time:

“The opening event seems like just yesterday, but here we are a year on, and I’m extremely proud of what the team have achieved during this first year. Thanks to the huge efforts of so many people, we have a busy and very successful training centre producing highly skilled professionals.”

He continued,

“This re-location was just the beginning of an extremely busy year for Develop and we have since undertaken extensive refurbishments at our York and Derby centres, with further development plans in place for our Linlithgow and Birmingham centres in 2024. We’re also shortly due to open our doors in Norwich in partnership with our parent company, JTL, the UK’s largest electrical apprenticeship provider.”

More information about the training courses available at Develop’s Swindon centre can be found here: https://resources.developtraining.co.uk/swindon-0

   01 November 2023         Blogs

Confined spaces present unique challenges and risks that require careful consideration and preparation. Whether you work in construction, manufacturing, utilities or any industry that involves confined spaces, it’s crucial to understand the potential hazards and safety measures to ensure a safe working environment.

In this blog post, we will explore seven essential things you should know about confined spaces and why it’s crucial for employers to understand confined space legislation and ensure employees receive proper training:

What is a Confined Space and how to define one

Before delving into the details, it’s essential to define what constitutes a confined space. As defined by the HSE, a confined space is “one which is both enclosed or largely enclosed and has a reasonably foreseeable specified risk to workers of:

• fire
• explosion
• loss of consciousness
• asphyxiation
• drowning

Examples include tanks, silos, tunnels, sewers, and even storage bins. These spaces can pose a threat due to their limited access, poor ventilation, and potential for hazardous materials or atmospheres.

1. Common Hazards in Confined Spaces

Understanding the hazards associated with confined spaces is paramount. Some of the most common dangers include:

1. Atmospheric Hazards: Confined spaces can contain toxic gases, flammable substances, or a lack of oxygen, all of which can be deadly.
2. Engulfment: Workers can be buried or submerged in materials such as grain, sand, or liquids.
3. Entrapment: Moving parts or equipment within the confined space can trap workers.
4. Physical Hazards: Limited visibility and tight spaces can lead to slips, trips, falls, or injuries from equipment.
5. Temperature Extremes: Confined spaces can have extreme temperatures, causing heat stress or hypothermia.

2. Confined Space Entry Permits and Procedures

Access to confined spaces that have a higher level of risk should be carefully controlled through a permit system. Before entry, a Confined Space Entry Permit should be issued, detailing the necessary safety measures, hazard assessments, and the personnel allowed inside. Proper training and communication are crucial in ensuring everyone understands their roles and responsibilities during confined space entry.

3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Workers entering confined spaces must wear appropriate PPE, which may include respirators, gas monitors, harnesses, helmets, and protective clothing. The choice of PPE should align with the identified hazards to provide maximum protection.

4. Ventilation and Air Quality Monitoring in Confined Spaces

Ventilation is essential to maintain safe atmospheric conditions inside a confined space. Adequate ventilation systems, along with continuous air quality monitoring, can help ensure that the air remains safe for workers. Gas detectors can warn of hazardous conditions, allowing workers to exit in case of danger.

5. Training and Emergency Response & Rescue from Confined Spaces

Proper training is key to preventing accidents in confined spaces. Workers should be trained in confined space entry procedures, emergency response plans, and the use of safety equipment. Additionally, a well-practiced emergency response plan should be in place to quickly rescue workers in distress.

6. Regular Inspections and Maintenance

Regular inspections and maintenance of confined spaces are crucial for identifying and addressing potential hazards. This includes checking equipment, testing the atmosphere, and ensuring that access points remain safe. Preventative maintenance reduces the likelihood of incidents and keeps workers safe.

7. Confined spaces legislation and training

The significance of training in confined spaces cannot be overstated. Training is not just important, but necessary under law.

The key duties of an employer are as follows:

To avoid entry into confined spaces wherever possible, if unavoidable, follow a safe system of work and put in adequate emergency arrangements before work starts.

To view HSE guidelines, follow this link.

At Develop Training, we believe that a well-trained workforce is the bedrock of workplace safety. Our tailored confined space training programmes equip your employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate confined spaces safely, ultimately reducing accidents and saving lives.

Remember, investing in training is an investment in your employees’ well-being and the overall success of your business.

Confined space training for all levels and requirements

Develop offers courses for those who need to enter, supervise or plan entry into a place designated as a confined space. Our courses cover low, medium and high risk confined spaces as well as emergency rescue and recovery of casualties.

View our full range of confined spaces courses here: https://www.developtraining.co.uk/training/utilities/confined-spaces/

Did you know we have a mobile confined space unit? Learn more