Power firm pledges £700,000 to Supported Studies for ‘Learning at Work Week’
A utility firm has pledged £700,000 as part of its commitment to its Supported Studies programme this year - as the UK celebrates ‘Learning at Work Week’.
UK Power Networks, which delivers electricity to London, the East and the South East of the UK, has several staff training programmes including:
- Supported Studies: £700,000 towards employees’ gaining professional qualifications which supports their personal development in their role and career development.
- Apprenticeships: UK Power Networks currently has 90 apprentices learning within the training school, with two new intakes in May and September totalling a further 54 new apprentices. The company currently has 94 craft attendants learning within the business, and the potential for a further 117 places to commence in 2024.
- Leadership Academy: involved under apprenticeships is the Leadership Academy: an internal management pathway, where employees can access Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Funded training and receive a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) qualification. Launched in 2021 UK Power Networks’ unique Leadership Academy has steered 170 managers through extra qualifications since 2021 with 81% of those passing gaining a ‘Distinction’. In 2023, over 40 managers graduated with a diploma in Leadership and Management.
- Digital apprenticeships: the Digital Academy enables employees to develop their data and digital skills. With programmes suited to all existing skills sets across a range of disciplines including cyber security, data analytics and software engineering, UK Power Networks is developing a workforce ready for the evolving needs of its customers and the UK in reaching Net Zero.
- Internal training: UK Power Networks provides a wealth of internal training courses and seminars ranging from first aid training to cyber security and finance. Each year the company hosts over 5,000 courses a year to internal and external attendees. The company’s four training centres are rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
The investment was announced to support Learning at Work Week, taking place from 13 to 17 May. As part of the week’s activities, UK Power Networks is hosting in-person and virtual sessions on a host of development topics, including presentation skills and adapting to change.
Jacob Anderston-Street, a lead field engineer who completed the company’s Level 3 CMI qualification, commented: "Graduating from the Leadership Academy has been a game-changer, not just for my professional journey but for personal growth too.
“I highly recommend such a course to all managers — it's a must for anyone looking to level up their leadership skills.”
Sarah Day, customer services manager in central London and completed the Level 5 course, added: “The course was very challenging and I wanted to give up a few times but persevered with it. I was very lucky to have such an amazing tutor who gave me so much encouragement and was on hand to help with any issues I had.
“I love that UK Power Networks is offering this course to all of the managers as it does give you a lot of skills to be able to manage your teams effectively. I feel that I’ve become a much more confident manager after completing this course.”
Teresa Povey, senior programme and development manager at Pearson TQ, said: “The UK Power Networks Leadership Academy programme is outstanding. It provides excellent support to team members and demonstrates an impressive commitment from all levels of management to deliver a high-quality learning experience that is practical and relevant to roles within the business.
“We are exceptionally proud to partner with such a fantastic organisation that utilises learning and development to support their continued growth and success.”
Roger Waring, director of commercial services and technical training, said: “As part of celebrating Learning at Work Week, we are thrilled to again be able to confirm this investment in our Supported Studies programme. Upskilling our workforce is key in ensuring we continue to be an employer of choice, providing ongoing development opportunities throughout our employees’ careers which in turn helps the business to deliver first-class service and respond to the changing needs of the network and our customers.”
Published: 16/05/24
UK Power Networks, which delivers electricity to London, the East and the South East of the UK, has several staff training programmes including:
- Supported Studies: £700,000 towards employees’ gaining professional qualifications which supports their personal development in their role and career development.
- Apprenticeships: UK Power Networks currently has 90 apprentices learning within the training school, with two new intakes in May and September totalling a further 54 new apprentices. The company currently has 94 craft attendants learning within the business, and the potential for a further 117 places to commence in 2024.
- Leadership Academy: involved under apprenticeships is the Leadership Academy: an internal management pathway, where employees can access Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Funded training and receive a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) qualification. Launched in 2021 UK Power Networks’ unique Leadership Academy has steered 170 managers through extra qualifications since 2021 with 81% of those passing gaining a ‘Distinction’. In 2023, over 40 managers graduated with a diploma in Leadership and Management.
- Digital apprenticeships: the Digital Academy enables employees to develop their data and digital skills. With programmes suited to all existing skills sets across a range of disciplines including cyber security, data analytics and software engineering, UK Power Networks is developing a workforce ready for the evolving needs of its customers and the UK in reaching Net Zero.
- Internal training: UK Power Networks provides a wealth of internal training courses and seminars ranging from first aid training to cyber security and finance. Each year the company hosts over 5,000 courses a year to internal and external attendees. The company’s four training centres are rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
The investment was announced to support Learning at Work Week, taking place from 13 to 17 May. As part of the week’s activities, UK Power Networks is hosting in-person and virtual sessions on a host of development topics, including presentation skills and adapting to change.
Jacob Anderston-Street, a lead field engineer who completed the company’s Level 3 CMI qualification, commented: "Graduating from the Leadership Academy has been a game-changer, not just for my professional journey but for personal growth too.
“I highly recommend such a course to all managers — it's a must for anyone looking to level up their leadership skills.”
Sarah Day, customer services manager in central London and completed the Level 5 course, added: “The course was very challenging and I wanted to give up a few times but persevered with it. I was very lucky to have such an amazing tutor who gave me so much encouragement and was on hand to help with any issues I had.
“I love that UK Power Networks is offering this course to all of the managers as it does give you a lot of skills to be able to manage your teams effectively. I feel that I’ve become a much more confident manager after completing this course.”
Teresa Povey, senior programme and development manager at Pearson TQ, said: “The UK Power Networks Leadership Academy programme is outstanding. It provides excellent support to team members and demonstrates an impressive commitment from all levels of management to deliver a high-quality learning experience that is practical and relevant to roles within the business.
“We are exceptionally proud to partner with such a fantastic organisation that utilises learning and development to support their continued growth and success.”
Roger Waring, director of commercial services and technical training, said: “As part of celebrating Learning at Work Week, we are thrilled to again be able to confirm this investment in our Supported Studies programme. Upskilling our workforce is key in ensuring we continue to be an employer of choice, providing ongoing development opportunities throughout our employees’ careers which in turn helps the business to deliver first-class service and respond to the changing needs of the network and our customers.”
Published: 16/05/24