Utilities
specialist Develop Training Limited (DTL) has won a contract to deliver an
apprenticeship in water mains laying for South Staffs Water.

DTL, an
approved provider under the apprenticeship levy scheme, is now putting nine
apprentices through the 13-month programme, including hands-on learning at its
newly-opened mains-laying facility.

Daryll
Garavan, DTL’s Delivery Manager for the water industry, said: “Having this new
facility is ideal. There is plenty of space for several candidates to work on
it at once instead of having to wait their turn, and the practice area includes
numerous water mains connections that people can hone their skills on.”

DTL opened
the new water mains training area last year at its Derby training centre, one
of seven across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The
candidates, mostly from the Tipton and Walsall area, are made up of five South
Staffs Water employees and four new recruits from OnSite Specialist
Maintenance, which like South Staffs Water is also part of the South Staffordshire
plc group. They are
expected to complete the course, “Network Construction Operations Water Mains
Laying”, in January next year (2020).

The course is
a 50-50 mix of classroom and practical training, combining an introductory NVQ
in the subject with a more in-depth technical certificate. The apprentices will
video record their practical work in e-portfolios to demonstrate they have
achieved the necessary hands-on skills.

www.developtraining.co.uk