Utility Routeway for Cable Jointers
Introduction
The UK’s gas, electricity, water and waste management industries, the energy and utilities sector, underpins much of modern society. Without efficient and effective infrastructure, delivery of these services would be impossible. The sector requires a skilled workforce, capable of performing in a highly technical environment to operate, maintain and enhance the infrastructure.
Due partly to pressures created by industry privatisation and deregulation over recent years, there has been a demise in the industry’s training infrastructure and in the skills possessed by the current workforce. Action is needed to tackle skills deficiencies which are impeding the development of the industry and its workforce. One example of action taken is the training of HMP inmates whilst they are imprisoned to provide suitably qualified individuals on their release. Although this specific routeway is for prisoners, it can be adapted for others.
EU Skills will develop and promote career pathways, designed in conjunction with employers, to support recruitment of people across all entry level into the sector.
The project is for prisoners and designed to prevent re-offending. To achieve this, the programme is strongly focused on support and continuous assessment throughout the programme and following release. The programme will support them to gain the relevant skills and qualifications thereby improving employment prospects on release. The post release mentoring following discharge from HMP Acklington is managed by EUSkills in partnership with the employer, probation service, prison service and Jobcentre Plus and is key to the success of the programme.
There are no specific entry requirements however, the prison service will carry out an internal risk assessment to determine eligibility for access on the programme. A driving licence is preferred. Those with colour blindness are excluded from the programme.
The course
The programme involves undertaking 90 guided learning hours delivered full time in the prison environment training facility at Acklington Prison, Northumberland, leading towards Level 2 OCN D-side cable testing & fault finding; Level 3 OCN Pole Erection & Overhead Cabling; Level 3 OCN NRASWA - 6156 operatives; Level 2 City & Guilds IOSH or Safety Passport; Foundation Level IOSH or CIEH.
The programme includes an initial skills assessment to identify current training needs to ensure that the training programme they will follow will meet their personalised needs. Basic and ICT skills will also be assessed. The programme includes a 12 -14 week Cable Jointing (Telecommunications) Training Programme leading to the above qualifications.
Training will be delivered within the prison with a proportion of work experience and further training added to the end of the twelve to fourteen weeks, in-line with release from HMP Acklington. Training includes Introduction to Copper networking, Copper Cable Jointing and Working in PCPs and will include Working at Heights; Cabinets and Termination; Termination in Boxes and Distribution Points; C&G External Fibre; City & guilds External Fibre Practical Assignment; CCNSG Safety passport; Ducted Routes and Manholes; Building Ducted Routes; External Cable Installation; Fault Identification and Location; Confined Space Training/manholes/Gas testing/Green Filed Work/New developments; Introduction to E Side/Pressure; New Roads and Street Works; BT Contracts Management, Safety Passport, Fibre Optic Safety Awareness, Emergency Aid, Customer Care.
What happens after the course
The course content links into various occupations linked to telecommunications and utilities highways.
Funding
This particular programme is funded through LSC ESF Co-financing for the period June 2006 to May 2008.
For more information, please contact Dionne Payne at skillsnortheast@onenortheast.co.uk
