Qualifications galore for gas team

Hard work and lots of study has paid off for learners across the gas business who have gained NVQ qualifications appropriate to their jobs.

Thirty seven staff at United Utilities offices at Thorpe Park, Leeds and Doxford Park, Sunderland have taken part in the NVQ process and have been mentored, coached and assessed in skills such as Team Leading, Business Administration, Customer Service, Management and IT. In order to achieve the awards, the learners all had to show their competence across a number of units, some of which were mandatory, and others related to their day-to-day jobs. Their progress was assessed by Zodiac Training, through observations taken while they were working and from pieces of written work.

One of the most popular of the NVQ’s on offer was Business Admin at NVQ Levels 2 and 3, which recognises the skills and competences of candidates in the workplace.
The qualification provides individuals with an opportunity to demonstrate and improve their skills and knowledge and encompasses a broad range of competencies from the administration sector including supervision, project planning and organising meetings.

Participation in the NVQ scheme provides advantages and benefits to both the learner and the gas business. Individuals receive a nationally recognised qualification, high quality training specific to their NVQ subject, improved career prospects and improved personal development. Similarly, the gas business benefits by increased staff retention, higher skilled staff and increased productivity.

United Utilities’ Human Resources Manager, Susan Wareham was delighted to present certificates to the first 18 successful students. “We are very proud of all the learners who have gained these important qualifications,” she said. “United Utilities and Northern Gas Networks are committed to making sure that our staff gets the best possible training at work.”