DTL

Demand for smart meter training is heating up as firms race to meet the recent smart metering equipment technical specification 2 (SMETS 2), reports utilities specialist Develop Training Limited (DTL).

The government has called on energy companies to replace all old-style gas and electricity meters with smart meters.

But the roll out to 36 million households and small firms has been hit by delays, largely due to a shortage of skilled installers, and now DTL says the new SMETS2 standard has taken the demand for training to a new level.

A leading provider to major construction and utilities firms, Develop Training Limited (DTL), says too few businesses are making a commitment to apprenticeships despite government initiatives to promote them.

DTL, which has centres in Linlithgow near Edinburgh, Romford, York, Derby, Bolton, Swindon and Lisburn, Northern Ireland, highlighted the issue while giving its backing to National Apprenticeship Week 2019, which runs from 4 to 9 March.

In the run up to the week, the government launched a new promotional campaign, Blaze A Trail, to convince more individuals, families and employers to embrace apprenticeships. Previous initiatives have included Trailblazer Apprenticeships in England and the controversial Apprenticeship Levy.

The dangers of working in confined spaces were highlighted at a meeting of the international risk and safety body IIRSM, hosted by Develop Training Limited (DTL).

 DTL consultant Steve Smith introduced delegates at the East Midlands annual meeting to the particular risks posed by working in confined spaces and how to train operatives to cope with them. He explained that working in confined spaces is more common than people generally suppose, with examples occurring in many industries from marine to construction.

 To train people for the experience, DTL operates fixed and mobile confined spaces training units, providing practical experience for delegates from its customers, which include household names in construction, utilities and energy.

As the sun continues to shine on the UK, training specialist Develop Training Ltd (DTL) is reminding employers that it pays to ensure a comfortable working temperature, whatever the elements throw at us.

Many people are aware there is a minimum working temperature indoors (usually 16C, or 13C where the work being done is strenuous) but that there is no equivalent statutory level for how hot a workplace can be. However, that doesn’t mean employers can ignore soaring temperatures on days when the sun shines or in hot workplaces.

The Health and Safety Executive states that for indoor working, employers must provide: