Develop merges gas and water training

Skills training provider Develop Training has merged its water and gas operations to create a new dedicated Utility Division in response to market trends for multi-utility companies. The utility division has been developed over the past eight months, and has an emphasis on digital and on-site learning.


The new division, based in Derby, offers more than 400 dedicated training courses both on- and off-site. The development means the introduction of courses more focused on the behavioural aspects of technical training and delivered using blended learning techniques.

Develop is utilising its expertise in behavioural aspects of training into the new division courses, using the impact of attitude upon the way knowledge is gained and subsequently applied. The focus is on why delegates are being taught to operate in a particular way, not simply ‘how’ to perform a particular task.

Develop’s executive chairman Rod Tompsett said the creation of the new division is because of “the massive changes impacting on the UK’s utility industry” where an increasing number of multi-utility players are emerging who are embracing the renewable energy sector.

Tompsett said: “There is little doubt that against the changes taking place in the UK utility industry that we must refine our business model to deliver training in a variety of ways that engage and inspire a new generation of learners who are already embracing the digital age.

“The training market is changing, courses are increasingly being delivered in a way which reduces staff downtime by taking training to site and reducing the need for residential training. This trend follows the growing demand for more efficiencies and a greater return on investment for any training and is something that is being reflected in our Utility offer.”

With this new Utility Division, Develop is also expanding its portfolio to include new training and support for emerging renewable energy technologies, along with training courses for electricity generation in both existing and emerging technologies.

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