Latest News & Articles

Why is Water Hygiene Training Essential for On-Site Work

Ensuring the integrity and safety of the water supply is a fundamental responsibility for professionals working in the water industry. Whether you are a contractor, water company employee, or subcontractor, maintaining high standards of water hygiene is essential for public health and regulatory compliance. The National Water Hygiene (NWH) scheme, commonly referred to as the ‘Blue Card’, is a reco...

The Career-Boosting Benefits of New Roads and Street Works (NRSWA) Training

In the infrastructure and utilities sectors, regulatory compliance, safety, and operational efficiency are paramount. Whether you're a contractor, local authority representative, or utilities professional, ensuring that your workforce is properly trained in New Roads and Street Works (NRSWA) is critical. But beyond meeting legal requirements, how can NRSWA training elevate careers and business suc...

The Deadline Approaches for Network Construction Operations Becoming Mandatory

It's important that contractors in the water industry are aware of the upcoming requirements for the Level 2 Network Construction Operations (NCO) qualification becoming mandatory by April 2025. This change is aimed at ensuring that all operatives working on developer services have the necessary competency levels.

To prepare for this mandatory requirement, contractors should assess their qu...

Designing a Successful Mains and Service Laying Course

Merit Skills provides industry-relevant training in the water industry. In response to the growing demand for skilled professionals in the utility sectors, we have developed a comprehensive course designed to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and hands-on expertise related to Mains and Service Laying.

We identified gaps in NCO Mains and Service Laying delivery that needed to be add...

The Future of Training in the Water Industry: Navigating Towards Innovation

The demand for clean and safe water is increasing as the global population rises. In response to climate change and technological advancements, the water industry is experiencing significant transformation. This includes not only changes in water treatment and delivery, but also in the way professionals are trained. In this article, we will explore the future of training in the water industry, foc...

The Importance of Safe Manual Handling at Work

As we all know, the workplace can be a hazardous environment, especially if you are required to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy loads. Manual handling injuries are the leading cause of workplace injuries and lost work time. These injuries can lead to chronic pain, disability, and even death. Manual handling injuries affect not only the worker but also their families, the employer, and the wider c...

New Leakage and Distribution Trainer Joins the Team

We are pleased to welcome Michael Smith to our Leakage and Distribution training team. Michael will be providing training to many of our clients within the water industry, but first here is a bit about him -

After serving an apprenticeship as a vehicle technician and spending 7 years within the automotive industry, I decided that it wasn't for me and that I wanted to follow in my father and gra...

New Health and Safety Trainer Joins Our Growing Team

We are happy to welcome Gary Armstrong to our Health and Safety training team. With a long history in health and safety Gary brings years of experience and knowledge to our team.

After deciding halfway through my A levels that more education wasn’t for me, and that earning was much more important, I decided to join the Royal Air Force as a ground engineer. What was an initial 9-year commitment,...

Legionella Outbreaks Highlight Need for Adequate Training to Prevent Spread of Disease

Legionnaires' disease is a serious lung infection caused by the Legionella bacteria, which can be found in water systems such as hot tubs, cooling towers, and spas. The recent outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease in the UK have highlighted the importance of regular maintenance and management of water systems, as well as the need for adequate training to prevent the spread of the disease.

Accordin...

Why is Training Essential When Working in Medium Risk Confined Spaces

Working in confined spaces can be dangerous, especially when it comes to medium-risk spaces. These are areas that present a risk of injury or illness, such as tanks, silos, or sewers. To ensure workers' safety in these environments, employers must provide proper training.

Training is essential to keep workers safe in medium risk confined spaces. It can help workers to recognise the potential ha...

Merit Skills teams grows further with new Operations Manager

Chris Stanyer joins the team at Merit Skills as Operational Manager, before he gets too busy, we have got him to tell you a bit about himself.

I started off my working life as a young 15/16-year-old lad working for a narrowboat holiday company, emptying the toilets every Saturday morning with a 40ft suction hose and filling up the freshwater tanks with an even longer hosepipe, obviously being c...

We Passed the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) Refresh

With a lot of hard work from the Merit Skills team, we are proud to announce that we have met the criteria for the governments Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP).

The RoATP is an entry route for businesses and employers who want to deliver apprenticeship training. It plans to moderate the quality of apprenticeships and provide assurance to employers, learners, and the governm...