Skills Minister David Lammy MP was in Hertfordshire on Tuesday (3 June) to view ‘leading edge’ facilities designed to raise the bar on skills development within the gas industry.
Mr Lammy officially unveiled National Grid’s brand new, multi-million pound Skills Development Centre in Cadwell Lane, Hitchin, as part of a Government drive to boost the UK’s skills base. The centre specialises in providing practical, scenario-led training for the company’s gas distribution engineers.
Commenting on the visit, Mr Lammy said: “I was delighted to see the significant investment National Grid is making in learning and development. Through state-of-the-art facilities and nationally accredited training courses, National Grid is securing the future of crucial energy infrastructure, addressing skills shortages within the industry and providing a wealth of opportunities for both existing and new employees. It is an exemplar employer.
“Growing the UK’s skills base is pivotal to the country’s prosperity and our ability to compete on the global stage. National Grid is at the forefront of a growing band of employers who are working with Government and the education sector to combat skills shortages, deliver continued economic success and build futures for our young people.”
Joined by representatives from Ofgem and senior National Grid figures, Mr Lammy toured the state-of-the-art facility. He met National Grid apprentices and viewed a practical assessment area where fledgling gas engineers hone their skills in emergency response and gas pipe laying, before unveiling a plaque to mark the opening.
The centre is one of two new facilities – the second is at Hollinwood, Manchester - built by National Grid at a total cost of £5.5 million. Together with the company’s established facility at Eakring, Nottinghamshire, the trio aim to set industry-leading safety and competence standards for apprentices, new recruits and seasoned employees.
The centres simulate the real-life situations faced by National Grid staff, including a deep excavation pit at Hitchin, allowing apprentices and trainees to test out their skills before going into the field. They undergo rigorous assessments at the centres before being judged competent to work on the gas network.
Both the courses and the facilities at the centres have won praise from the Health and Safety Executive, which described them as ‘leading edge’.
Jon Butterworth, Director of Operations for National Grid’s Gas Distribution arm, said: “We were honoured to welcome Mr Lammy to our centre at Hitchin. We firmly support the Government’s strategy to create more apprenticeships for young people, improve the UK’s skills base and to promote life-long learning among existing employees, and we were delighted to demonstrate our commitment to these key goals.
“We believe the greater emphasis on the practical, scenario-led elements of our gas distribution courses, closely linked to actual job roles, addresses a major challenge facing the gas industry – skills shortages. Not only will we turn out apprentices who are quickly able to take up a wide range of frontline duties, but these courses should prove a real draw for people seeking a ‘hands on’ career in engineering.
“The robustly practical nature of our courses, made possible by these purpose-built facilities, will deliver tangible benefits to gas consumers. With staff skilled to industry-leading standards, we can achieve the highest levels of safety and quality in our gas networks.”
Covering 1,475 square metres, the two storey-building at Hitchin houses a pipe-laying area and deep excavation pit, while a suite of classrooms will provide theory-based learning and specialist courses.
Anyone interested in opportunities to start a career with National Grid can find out more by going to the company’s website at www.nationalgrid.com/freshtalent.
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For further media information contact Sara Wilcox, National Grid Communications, on 01926 655271