Two of our staff recently completed their 2-year craft apprenticeships. The end-point assessment was held on 20^th March 2018 at Solihull in the West Midlands. A panel consisting of Pete Hulyer, Mick Weller (UKPN) and Ian Wilson (SSE) was present ensuring all the supporting evidence was examined, and we are pleased to say that both candidates passed with flying colours.

Congratulations to Ben and Billy!

 

Their training was completed under the Energy & Utility Skills Group (EU Skills) nationally recognised “Trailblazer Apprenticeship” scheme and they are now, officially, Power Networks Craftsmen (Cable). This scheme was ratified by the Transmission and Distribution group of the National Skills Academy for Power which is part of the EU Skills and is raising the profile of the UK power industry as it becomes the global leader in power skills development, maximising the benefits for businesses.

Stormport, as members of the EU Skills, were closely involved in the development and implementation of this particular scheme.

Jacqui Molkenthin, Delivery Manager for Energy and Utility Independent Assessment Service (the body that delivers rigorous and robust apprenticeship end-point assessment services to the energy and utilities sector) commented to Stormport “Thank you for your time on Tuesday, it was good to see you all and to see the quality of the apprentices and their assessment records.” [Read more…]

 

 The timing of the re-certification for our Quality Management and Environmental Management systems required us to be audited to the much stricter 2015 standards. The audit, by ACS Registrars, took place over 4 days in February 2018. This was lead for us by Rachel Massey, Compliance Manager and involved interviews with staff and a systems review in the office at Ely and also a visit to a work site in Aldeburgh, Suffolk.

This was a particularly effective audit as no non-conformances were found or negative observations were made.  

There was a positive observation by the Auditor which was “a very well presented Integrated Management System by Rachel, with full support and involvement observed and received during the audit by all the Directors and staff at Stormport”.

Rachel Massey commented “This confirms Stormport’s commitment to our clients that all our work we carry out on their behalf will be to the highest standards of quality and environmental control. Our next regular review is for our OHSAS18001 safety management system and is due in June 2018.”

 

Stormport, working on behalf of UKPN under our long-term framework contract, have recently been busy working on a major project to remove overhead power lines to improve the landscape and views at a North Norfolk coast beauty spot.

Specifically, this on the estate of Desmond MacCarthy at Wiveton Hall, Cley in north Norfolk. Desmond is the star of BBC’s Normal for Norfolk, a hit show that details the life of Desmond and his exploits to make the stately home he and his family occupy, a commercially successful tourist destination.

The attractive grounds of the estate are crossed by 11,000-volt overhead powerlines which are essential to distribute power around the region.

UK Power Networks have agreed to fund a project to replace the 760 metres of overhead powerlines with 600 metres of underground cables. Also, a single ground mounted substation will replace three pole-mounted transformers.

As well as improving the views, the removal of the overhead lines will reduce the risk of swans who use the freshwater marshes flying into power lines.

The cables and poles at Cley and Wiveton Hall are scheduled to be removed by April 2018 at the site, which is in the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

UK Power Networks have placed all the installation work with Stormport under our contract. Our teams of linesmen, cable layers and jointers will be carrying out the work under the watchful eye of Project Manager, Mark Darlow.

A very warm welcome to the latest member of Stormport Connections. Chris joined us in February 2018 in the role of Sales Lead Generator. His role will be to set up appointments and find potential clients for the sales team. He’ll be the first step in the prospecting process, and our sales teams will be benefiting from his persuasive abilities and creative methods of finding potential customers.

He will be researching the construction market and targeting the perfect development projects for Stormport to provide connections services for. He will be working the telephone and seeking to generate new business through email and social media campaigns. [Read more…]

Stormport were proud to be invited to the ground-breaking ceremony for the planned new Cambridge Ice Arena on the morning of November 28^th2017. Steve James, Connections Director and Andrew Butcher, Contract Manager were in attendance.

The Cambridge Ice Arena will bring an international-standard, permanent ice rink to Cambridge by Autumn 2018. Site is located by Newmarket Road Park and Ride in Teversham. The arena will be open to the public and community sporting groups. Figure skating, ice hockey, ice dancing, speed skating and ice discos will all be offered at the rink.

The arena will be built on land leased from Marshall of Cambridge. Most of the funding has come through the University of Cambridge by generosity of the alumni of the Cambridge University Ice Hockey Club, particularly David Gattiker, captain of the team in the 1930s who left a large sum in his will for an ice arena for Cambridge. A loan was also provided by Cambridge County Council. A true community project.

Stormport will be responsible for installing the all-important power supply for this prestigious development. This will be achieved by installing high voltage cables and installing a 11,000 volt substation adjacent to the arena.