Latest News & Articles

Learning and Development Advisor Joins The Team

Sally Dunwell joins us from Watertrain Ltd.

I started my career at Yorkshire Water, in 1998 on the graduate training scheme, following graduation from Birmingham University with an MSc Water Resources Management and Technology. Initially in the clean water business unit, I subsequently had roles in Regional Engineering and Research and Development before joining the catalyst team.

In my new ...

The skills gap in the water industry

The latest Winter Edition for the Institute of Water Magazine has been showcasing the ever expanding skills shortage that has been developing within the water industry. A continually ageing workforce has created opportunities to start a varied and rewarding career in the water industry that could last a lifetime.

Merit Skills works with the major water companies around the country, providing th...

Water Industry Pipelaying Appreciation, how can it help you?

Merit Skills has been running our Water Industry Pipelaying Appreciation, this course has been designed to give support staff who interact with the workforce and technical staff involved in the supervision of main laying & service laying projects a greater understanding of water industry pipelaying skills & water networks.

Recently we have been running the course for many of our customer within...

Rising Stars of the Water Industry - Apply Now!

Are you new to the water industry and feel you have potential and appetite to progress?

The Institute of Water is now looking for its Rising Stars of 2019.

The Rising Stars programme brings together a collection of unique opportunities, designed to develop the skills and professional excellence of new industry talent.

The Institute of Water is dedicated to supporting the careers of people...

What is a hazard?

A hazard is something or someone that has the potential to cause harm.

So why do those that assess risk in the workplace get confused when indentifying hazards?

One of the most important aspects of your risk assessment is accurately identifying the potential hazards in your workplace. A good starting point is to walk around your workplace and think about any hazards. In other words, what is ...

Health and Safety, What are an Employees Responsibilities?

An employer may be responsible for your overall Health and Safety in the workplace, but as an employee you have responsibilities to yourself and others around you.

Workers have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be ...

High standards continue with a Matrix Standard audit

After previously gaining the Matrix Standard accreditation last year, we ensured that the high level of information, advice and/or guidance services that we provided did not start to lack. And with our latest audit completed we are pleased to confirm that our high standards have continued.

The matrix Standard is internation...

Merit Skills continue exemplary Health and Safety standards

Another year, another audit. We recently had a successful audit of our Safety, Health, Environmental & Quality practices and procedures which was carried out by Achilles Verify. The auditor spent a day with us reviewing our processes, procedures and facilities.

With this audit we continue to show our dedication and commitment to ensuring the health and safety for all. It should also give our c...

Transfer of apprenticeship service funds - restrictions lifted

It has recently been announced that as of the end of July the temporary restriction on how many employers a levy-payer can transfer apprenticeship service funds to will be lifted. This will allow levy-paying employers to transfer up to a maximum of 10% of their apprenticeship service annual funds to employers of their choosing.

The allowance is 10% of your business annual funds, which will be ...

The CABWI Annual Forum

We recently attended the annual CABWI Forum in Coventry. The meeting focused on the changes that will be happening in the sector and to CABWI itself, some of these changes will affect the assessment of qualifications directly and provide an improved and more accurate representation of the candidates competency.

End Point Assessment

A popular topic was the new End Point Assessments (EPA) ...

Apprentices make a difference to your business

If you are an employer who has previously had apprentices in your organisation, it will already be clear to you the benefits they can bring. 86% of employers with an established apprenticeship programme reported that apprenticeships have helped to develop skills that are relevant to the needs of their organisation.

As a non-levy paying employer, what’s more, the government will pay 90% of the t...

Funding Apprenticeships

From 2018 businesses that pay the Levy will be able to transfer apprenticeship funding to other businesses, which will be used to pay for training and assessments for apprenticeships.

However employers can transfer a maximum of 10% of annual funds. This is worked out from the total amount of levy declared, with the English % applied, plus the 10% government top-up payment.

Another important ...