Winners News
Clive Ingram, Asset Creation, Severn Trent Water Ltd
MSc in Environmental Quality Management, De Montford University
Having completed civil engineering and management qualifications, I went on to study for the CIWEM Diploma (DipWEM) to broaden my industry knowledge. It soon became apparent that much more importance was being placed on high standards of environmental practice and I decided to further develop my environmental knowledge. I embarked on this by securing a place on a MSc course and passed the first part (which I self funded). However, because of ever tightening budgets, I could not secure funding from my employer to continue with the study. When I read the USIT leaflet I realised that I probably satisfied the criteria for an award for further education and I was extremely pleased when I was approved for an award to complete the MSc. In terms of my personal development, this piece of learning will build upon my current experience, knowledge, qualifications and training and equip me with a recognised ‘senior qualification’ within the environmental field.
David R. Warren, Graduate Design Engineer, South Staffordshire Group – Walsall
PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner Course
I am always looking for ways to better myself within my industry and the Tier 2 award offered by USIT was an ideal opportunity for applying for training. Being relatively new to the business I felt that the PRINCE2 qualification in project management was ideal for extending my knowledge of methods and approaches for this purpose.
When I received the call to say I had been awarded the funds to complete the qualification I was very pleased. The week long course was hard work yet insightful and my awareness of how to handle my projects has significantly improved. I would like to extend my thanks to USIT for the opportunity they have given me and would highly recommend this award to anyone wishing to gain such qualifications.
Stephen Smyth, Customer Service, Northern Ireland Water
HNC in Water Operations with Management, Cardonald College
For some time I had been concerned that I did not possess any qualifications specific to the industry that I have chosen to devote my career to. The USIT Skills award has enabled me to study for an HNC in Water Operations at Cardonald College. I have worked for NI Water in both the scientific and customer service sections of the business however I always felt that I needed to develop a more rounded knowledge of the industry and the HNC in Water Operations will give me that overview. Even though I only started the course in August, I am already beginning to see the benefits in my day to day activities within NI Water as my confidence and general industry knowledge increases. I will always be grateful to USIT for giving me this valuable opportunity.
Simon Cyhanko, Distribution Operations Controller, Northumbrian Water
The award I received from USIT has enabled me to obtain some professional coaching from a training organisation. I have found it really useful having this relationship with somebody not employed within the same organisation - my coach really has therefore offered a different outlook and perspective on many things. My coach has challenged me and we have set targets for me to achieve in both my personal and professional life. I have therefore approached some of these challenges in a new way and I am sure that the coaching will help me achieve more than I might otherwise do.
Simone Medonos, Lead Environmental Scientist, MWH Edinburgh
Water Law (Short Course), Cranfield University
I received a USIT Business Skills Award for a short course on Water Law at Cranfield University which I attended in February 2009. In my current role I am seconded into Scottish Water Solutions as an Environmental Advisor. To assist in my role and gain a better understanding of the implications of EU legal system on my work I had been trying to find a formal training course. The week long Water Law short course was a module of a Water Management Masters programme at Cranfield University and best fitted in with my work commitments.
I was very pleased to find the USIT award scheme, which assists in funding courses not normally possible through employers training programmes. I was honoured and excited when I received the Business Skills award to both fund my place on the course as well as contribute to subsistence. Cranfield University has an excellent reputation in Water Science research and education, so I was very grateful to be able to attend a course at such a prestigious institute and knew that the training would be of high quality. The course was valuable and gave me a good overview of EU legislation and how the English and Scottish legal system compare with respect to water law. We had guest lecturers from the regulators and experts in the industry and the lecture notes and handouts have continued to be of use in my role. The only downside was that we were snowed in at Cranfield and all the flights were grounded so it took a long time to get home at the end of the week!
I am very grateful to USIT for this opportunity and I highly recommend applying for a Business Skills Award if you work in the utilities industries and are interested in furthering your knowledge through a specific training course.
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