OHL Learning & Competency Lead

Location: Power T&D Darlington - Office Based

Role Purpose

We are seeking an experienced professional who is either highly experienced in the delivery of training or looking to transition from a hands-on operational role into a leadership position focused on workforce development, operational excellence and course delivery.

This role is ideally suited to an experienced Trainer and/or Overhead Lines Foreman, General Foreman, Site Supervisor or Operations Supervisor who has built a successful career delivering projects in the field and now wants to utilise their practical expertise to develop the next generation of operatives.

Key Responsibilities

Workforce Development & Training

• Personally deliver face-to-face technical, plant, safety and competency training across the Transmission and Distribution course portfolio.
• Prepare and deliver classroom sessions, practical demonstrations, refresher and card-renewal training, toolbox talks and site-based instruction.
• Carry out practical and knowledge assessments, make evidence-based competency decisions and provide clear feedback and remedial training where required.
• Develop and regularly update lesson plans, practical exercises, assessment materials and course content to reflect operational practice, legislation and scheme requirements.
• Deliver structured training and development for new starters, trainees, apprentices, progressing operatives and experienced employees requiring revalidation.
• Work with the wider team to identify skills gaps through direct observation and assessment, then deliver targeted training to address them.

Operational Support

• Deliver training and competency assessments at the training centre and operational sites across the UK.
• Where necessary, conduct site visits to observe working practices, coach operatives, reinforce standards and identify immediate training needs.
• Provide practical technical guidance based on current operational experience and recognised safe systems of work.
• Support project mobilisation by directly training and assessing employees so that teams are competent and ready for deployment.

Compliance & Competency Management

• Ensure delivery meets client, industry, awarding-body, company and safety requirements and provide evidence during audits.

Apprenticeships & Early Careers

• Deliver practical training, mentoring and competency assessment for apprentices, trainees and developing operatives.
• Coach learners in the workplace and at the training centre, providing clear evidence of progress and development needs.
• Work with colleges and training providers to align practical delivery with programme requirements.
• Help develop future operatives and supervisors for the utilities and overhead lines sector.

Continuous Improvement

• Capture operational lessons learned and integrate them into training programmes.
• Lead the ongoing improvement of the training centre's facilities, practical training areas, equipment and learning environment.
• Work with the wider team to plan and implement centre upgrades that create a class-leading training venue for employees, clients and partners.
• Keep practical training equipment, facilities and course materials current, safe, professional and ready for delivery.
• Trial and implement improved training methods that strengthen practical competence and learner experience.

About You

You will either already be working in the delivery of training in the OHL and Civils space, or potentially the role would suit someone who has spent their career in the field and is now looking to take the next step into an operational leadership and workforce development position.

You may currently be working as

• Overhead Lines Foreman
• General Foreman
• OHL Supervisor
• Site Supervisor
• Operations Supervisor
• Senior Linesperson
• Team Leader
• Utilities Supervisor

You will bring significant operational experience and a genuine passion for developing people.

Essential Experience

• Extensive experience in the overhead lines, utilities, transmission, distribution, power or infrastructure sector.
• Proven delivery and assessment of civil engineering competencies such as CSCS or NPORS courses, including N202, N010, N402 and applicable card renewals.
• Current delivery experience in EUSR Cat and Genny, EUSR HSG47 and off-road 4x4 training.
• Experience delivering the wider course set, including winches, SHEA Power, face fit, fall arrest, IVAT, plant marshalling, slinger signaller, pull lifts, HIAB, abrasive wheels and PPE inspection.
• Experience producing auditable training and competency records and supporting compliance audits.
• Strong practical coaching, communication and assessment skills, with the flexibility to deliver at the centre and operational sites across the UK.

Desirable Experience

• Experience supporting apprentices, trainees or development programmes.
• Experience delivering toolbox talks, technical briefings or training sessions.
• Knowledge of competency management systems.
• Exposure to learning and development, workforce planning or training coordination activities.
• Understanding of National Grid, DNO or utility client requirements.

Essential

• Current recognised trainer, instructor, tester and/or assessor qualifications and scheme approvals required to deliver and assess the NPORS categories and card-renewal routes listed in the Essential Experience section.
• Current recognised instructor/assessor authorisations required to deliver EUSR Cat and Genny and EUSR HSG47 training, together with an appropriate current off-road 4x4 instructor qualification.
• Relevant utilities, transmission, distribution, overhead lines, plant, lifting operations or operational safety qualifications appropriate to the course portfolio.
• A recognised teaching/training and vocational assessment qualification, or directly equivalent occupational trainer/assessor credentials accepted by the relevant scheme or awarding body.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Join us at United Infrastructure and be part of our mission to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to the complex infrastructure needs of the UK.