From labourer to leader - Stacey leaps ahead
When Stacey Ridley left school at 15 with no qualifications he had no idea he would be putting on a gown and mortar board 30 years later and graduating from a unique leadership academy.
Not only did the UK Power Networks employee gain a management qualification he had to first pass his Maths and English GCSEs in just eight weeks each.
Stacey said he was “overwhelmingly overjoyed” and pleased that his hard work and dedication made him one of the 40 UK Power Networks managers who graduated from an innovative Leadership Academy.
Not only did the UK Power Networks employee gain a management qualification he had to first pass his Maths and English GCSEs in just eight weeks each.
Stacey said he was “overwhelmingly overjoyed” and pleased that his hard work and dedication made him one of the 40 UK Power Networks managers who graduated from an innovative Leadership Academy.
Managing a team of ten, Stacey from Rochester, who left school to become a labourer, said he wanted to learn the different skills and mindset needed for management.
“The first few months were stressful for myself and my family, I had to put my head down, write assignments and meet deadlines. I had a lot of support from colleagues and my line manager was absolutely brilliant.”
UK Power Networks is the first electricity distribution operator to offer managers the opportunity to study Level 3 Team Leader Supervisor or Level 5 Operations Departmental Manager apprenticeships, whilst also delivering professional Chartered Management Institute qualifications with the potential for Chartered Manager status for its 600 managers. It offers employees, some of whom have earned promotion over the years, the opportunity to gain qualifications which support their roles.
The qualifications are tailored to suit individual roles, in collaboration with Pearson TQ and Gateshead College and made possible through the broader range of opportunities that have opened through the government’s apprenticeship scheme.
Managing a team of ten, Stacey from Rochester, who left school to become a labourer, said he wanted to learn the different skills and mindset needed for management.
“The first few months were stressful for myself and my family, I had to put my head down, write assignments and meet deadlines. I had a lot of support from colleagues and my line manager was absolutely brilliant.”
UK Power Networks is the first electricity distribution operator to offer managers the opportunity to study Level 3 Team Leader Supervisor or Level 5 Operations Departmental Manager apprenticeships, whilst also delivering professional Chartered Management Institute qualifications with the potential for Chartered Manager status for its 600 managers. It offers employees, some of whom have earned promotion over the years, the opportunity to gain qualifications which support their roles.
The qualifications are tailored to suit individual roles, in collaboration with Pearson TQ and Gateshead College and made possible through the broader range of opportunities that have opened through the government’s apprenticeship scheme.
Also among the newly-qualified group was team leader Mabel Obeng who was delighted to receive a Distinction for her work. She began her course online in lockdown, then went on to complete it after regular face-to-face sessions with her group.
Mabel, who joined the company in Borehamwood six years ago, said “I wanted to expand my knowledge around leadership and understand different approaches and styles of management.”
She leads a very experienced team but was taught adaptable styles of management for new recruits and different personalities in future.
She added: “It was challenging at times but I really enjoyed it. I feel that it has helped build my confidence and I can engage with my team in a much better way.”
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Also among the newly-qualified group was team leader Mabel Obeng who was delighted to receive a Distinction for her work. She began her course online in lockdown, then went on to complete it after regular face-to-face sessions with her group.
Mabel, who joined the company in Borehamwood six years ago, said “I wanted to expand my knowledge around leadership and understand different approaches and styles of management.”
She leads a very experienced team but was taught adaptable styles of management for new recruits and different personalities in future.
She added: “It was challenging at times but I really enjoyed it. I feel that it has helped build my confidence and I can engage with my team in a much better way.”
Back to news