Develop Training apprenticeship programme instils new energy in gas company

The latest cohort of apprentices at Northern Gas Networks (@NGNgas) has passed with flying colours thanks to a programme partnership with Derby-based Develop Training. 

NGN, which has offices in Leeds and Sunderland, supplies gas to much of the north of England.

All 15 apprentices on its latest programme have now completed their Gas Network Craftsperson L3 qualification and all of them have achieved a distinction across at least one of the four elements, with many achieving distinctions across all areas.  

The company puts the success down to a “labour of love” that goes into its evolving apprenticeship programme, designed and delivered in partnership with Develop Training.

NGN prides itself on being able to attract and retain the best people, along with ensuring a natural pipeline of talent. The company now has a group of engaged, enthusiastic and skilled young people – trained to the highest standards – to show for its investment.  

Chris Adair, Training Manager for NGN, said the apprenticeship programme was also a positive way of helping address skills gaps in the sector as well as issues relating to an ageing workforce.

“I’m passionate about our apprenticeships programmes due to the real impact they have on the business and our employees,” said Chris.

“We are so proud of their achievements and it’s testament to the partnership we have with Develop Training. 

“The apprenticeship programme has been a labour of love and has evolved over the last few years.” 

He said that the reason for the programme’s success was due in part to the “truly collaborative approach” with Develop Training and the continuous work towards ensuring the qualifications were in line with business and sector needs and that the qualifications developed, engaged and challenged all participants. 

“Additionally, we need to ensure the skills, training and real life experiences are relevant and start to fill the skills gap and ageing workforce issues the industry faces,” said Chris.

Since the launch of the partnership between Develop and NGN there has been an increase in the number of apprentices and the range of apprenticeships offered by NGN. This further supports the variety of skills required across a wide range of services that NGN offers.

Kate Denial, Key Account Manager, Apprenticeships at Develop Training, said:

“We’ve worked really closely with Chris and the team at NGN over the past few years to ensure the programmes we offer not only provide the right training and qualifications via structured development pathways but they provide real opportunities to learn the NGN way, methods and processes to help support the pathway and talent required at NGN for both now and in the future. 

“The apprenticeships offer the opportunity to achieve a quality, industry relevant qualification and provide potential for future personal development.” 

Chris added: “These programmes continue at pace, with a number of new cohorts already in place and beginning their apprenticeship journey with us. I continue to be excited about the future of apprenticeships at NGN and the opportunities they provide.”

Develop Training, part of the JTL Group, is one of the UK’s leading providers of compliance, technical and safety training. Based in Ascot Drive, Derby, it also has dedicated training centres in York, Basildon, Swindon, Manchester, Linlithgow, in Scotland, and Lisburn, in Northern Ireland.