DTL celebrates 94% pass rate on new wiring standard
Specialist provider Develop Training Ltd (DTL) is celebrating after electricians on its courses achieved a 94 per cent pass rate against the latest national wiring standard. Candidates from across the UK from some of the country’s biggest names in utilities and construction have been training with DTL to meet the new 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS7671:2018). From this year, anyone working as an electrician must achieve the latest version of the national qualification. Matthew Gray, Operations Manager at DTL, said: “We’ve rolled out training in the new standard across all our centres across the UK, which puts our training within easy reach for our customers nationwide. We’re also providing courses for customers on their own premises. We’re thrilled that our candidates are achieving such a high pass rate and can quickly get back to their day jobs with the knowledge that they’ve been trained to the highest standards.” DTL provides training in the regulations at its seven centres in two forms, the standard three-day course for most candidates and a one-day refresher course for those with the most up-to-date previous qualification. The successful candidates were trained by DTL’s expert lecturers, all of whom have a long record of electrical experience. The training company expanded its electrical lecturing team last year to meet growing demand for training in the new regulations as well as for the installation of smart meters. As specialists in training for utilities and construction, DTL typically includes a large amount of practical training alongside classroom learning. With their real-world experience, lecturers relate the theory of the guidelines to the actual skills used by electricians when carrying out work in domestic or commercial settings. Small class sizes ensure individual attention. The 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations book was published last summer and the regulations came into force on 1 January 2019. The wiring regulations apply to the design, erection and verification of electrical installations, as well as additions and alterations to existing installations. The 18th Edition has introduced comprehensive changes to the previous edition in areas including protection against over-voltages and fire as well as electrical embedded-heating. A new section covering energy efficiency has also been introduced. Overall, the regulations set requirements and operating criteria for the UK and are recognised by the British Standards Institute as a British Standard (BS 7671). Click here to find out more about DTL’s electrical courses or contact the Customer Service team on 0800 876 6708.
DTL Expands Management Team in Response to Growing Demand
Develop Training Ltd (DTL) has hired Matthew Gray in the newly-created role of Operations Manager as demand grows for training in the construction and utility sectors. Reporting to DTL’s Operations director, John Kerr, Matt will oversee delivery of compliance training and apprenticeships across DTL’s seven UK training centres as well as bespoke courses at customers’ premises. A key objective will be to introduce new methods of training delivery. Building on DTL’s award-winning online Learning Assessment Portal, he expects to bring in more blended training, mixing classroom, practical and distance learning. Also on his agenda are developing a virtual learning environment and reviewing DTL’s existing e-portfolio system that allows trainees to catalogue their experience electronically, including with video, instead of in bulky paper portfolios. Matt said: “DTL is a very professional and well-organised company that counts some of the biggest household names in construction and the utilities as customers, and I am looking forward to the challenge.” He is particularly keen to build DTL’s growing apprenticeship offer, having managed major apprenticeship programmes in previous roles. As well as overseeing the company’s delivery managers and lecturers, this will include preparing DTL for assessment by the government’s education inspector Ofsted. As part of his focus on quality teaching and learning, he is developing a strategy to implement graded lesson observations for all DTL courses. Matt, who is based at DTL’s Derby training centre, will also be responsible for managing DTL’s property portfolio, comprising seven training centres in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A former apprentice himself, Matt began his career as an electrician, having followed his father into the industry, and ran his own business for five years until switching to teaching in 2008. A Level Five-qualified lecturer, his career in the training industry has developed from teaching electrical installation through a spell as a team leader and into senior management. In one previous role, he was responsible for delivering a training curriculum across two training centres offering electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilation and other training to more than 300 learners. He went on to become a curriculum manager for another training company where he managed a team of vocational and functional skills trainers delivering apprenticeships in construction, housing and property management. Originally from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Matt still lives in Leicestershire. He is married with two children, and enjoys going to the gym, playing snooker and occasionally turning out for Ashby Rugby Football Club. www.developtraining.co.uk
DTL Showcases Energy Training Capabilities
Leading utilities and construction training specialist Develop Training Limited (DTL) recently opened the doors of its Midlands and Scottish training centres to showcase the company’s energy training capabilities. The open days at Derby and Linlithgow near Edinburgh attracted delegates from a number of major utility firms and private organisations. Representatives from DTL’s energy department demonstrated the company’s facilities and outlined the training it offers including ACS gas, smart metering and mechanical. With smart metering currently rolling out nationwide in residential properties, the energy department is already providing training for major utility companies to help to address the shortage of skilled installers. It also offers smart meter and ACS Gas training courses for commercial facilities. Its mechanical facilities cover training to deal with fluorinated gases used in refrigeration, air conditioning and fire protection systems. The team also offers qualifications that allow learners to work as “authorised” and “competent persons” and deal with facilities such as boiler pressure systems and plant items. The open days have already attracted new business enquiries, adding to DTL’s high profile customer list that not only includes notable construction and utility firms, but also includes private companies and major public sector organisations such as the NHS and MoD. www.developtraining.co.uk
Training is key as firms face dash to comply with new electrical wiring regs
Industry leading training provider, Develop Training Ltd (DTL), is warning that firms will face a dash for compliance when new electrical wiring regulations are released next month. DTL says many firms will be caught unawares by the scope of the changes in the new British Standard requirements for electrical installations. The Institution of Engineering and Technology’s 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, which form the basis of the updated BS7671:2018, will require significant retraining for all UK electricians. It is due for publication in July but the major changes to the previous edition have already been announced, and they look set to have a big impact on the UK’s 265,000 electricians and electrical fitters as well as the organisations that employ them. DTL says many operatives will need to attend a three-day course, rather than the one-day refresher courses that have previously sufficed after an update was released.This could place a huge operational burden on organisations employing multiple electricians. DTL is recommending that only those who have gone through 17th Edition third amendment training in the past six months will be eligible for a fast-track one-day course. However, with all new installations having to be designed to meet the new standard from January 2019, DTL says the stakes are too high to risk skimping on training. Chris Wood, CEO of the training company, said: The new regulations reflect the changing technological, regulatory and political environment. For example, there are new introductions covering energy efficiency, electric car charging and the way that wiring should be supported to protect it from a building collapse in the event of fire. There are many other changes, which amount to a very significant evolution in the regulations. Clearly, the fallout from a non-compliance event could be immensely damaging for any organisation that employs electricians. So the new edition is sure to have major implications when it comes to training people to ensure that the regulations are met.” DTL answers FAQs here: www.developtraining.co.uk/blog Visit www.developtraining.co.uk/training/electrical to book on to an 18th Edition training course
