Penspen to Deliver New NVQ Course with SGN

Penspen has been successful in securing a contract with SGN to deliver a Gas Pressure Control Level 3 NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) Diploma over the next two years. The programme will help to develop SGN’s pressure control staff, to ensure their continuous development and compliance with required safety technical competencies.

SGN manages the network that distributes natural and green gas to 5.9 million homes and business across Scotland and the south of England.

The completion of the NVQ program will be led and delivered from both Penspen’s purpose built training centre in Neath and SGN’s training facilities in Ashford. The course will also be supported by SGN’s own staff in the field.

Penspen’s Head of Technical Training, Rick Murfet, commented: “Securing this contract to deliver the NVQ demonstrates the work Penspen has done over the last ten10 years in delivering an internal NVQ program, which has great relevance to the market as it faces key challenges with skills gaps and an ageing workforce.”

The twelve-week Pressure Control Training Course provides hands-on experience in the functional maintenances and overhauls of pressure reducing equipment across all pressure ranges, up to and including high pressure systems.

The training plan has been developed to ensure trainees undertaking the diploma in Engineering Maintenance (Mechanical) are provided with an understanding of the most common equipment and typical arrangements they will encounter in the field.

This plan will build upon learners’ knowledge and understanding in a logical sequence and will be delivered over an 18-24-month period. Trainees will attend for formal off-job training in two groups, approximately every 6-8 weeks.

On completion of the program delegates will:

• Understand the operating standards and the legislation that impacts upon owners and operators of gas pipelines and assets;
• Recognise safe working practices when working in hazardous areas, including site entry, safe use of electrical equipment and emergency/evacuation procedures;
• Be qualified to oversee and perform functional maintenances and overhauls of pressure reducing equipment across all pressure ranges up to and including high pressure systems.

To maximise the effectiveness of the training and consolidate learning, it is essential that the trainees are provided with opportunities for exposure to the plant and maintenance activities whilst working with experienced operators. Trainees must also be provided with on-the-job assessment opportunities at appropriate times throughout their training period. Penspen will support with each of these elements as the course progresses.