VT and Royal Navy win National Training Award

VT Group (VT) and the Royal Navy (RN) were named as a South East regional winner (Partnership and Collaboration category) at the National Training Awards (NTA) ceremony. This was in recognition of their successful partnering on the Buzzing Hub project that has transformed the way the RN trains its marine engineering technicians. Organised on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) by UK Skills, the National Training Awards honour those who have made an outstanding contribution and commitment to training in the workplace.

In securing the prestigious award, VT and the Royal Naval School of Marine Engineering (RNSME) have had to demonstrate outstanding training throughout the rigorous NTA judging process, and against strong competition that saw a massive 28% increase in national entries. The entry passed three stages, including two judging panels and a lengthy visit by the judges to HMS Sultan where they met the project team, trainees and instructors and saw Buzzing Hub in action.

Dave Hobbs, Managing Director, VT Group’s Sea organisation said: “We are delighted to win this award, recognising the Buzzing Hub project as an exemplar of our successful partnering with the Royal Navy. Further it reinforces our commitment to training excellence, helping to deliver critical training to customers that include navies across the world and the national UK fire and rescue service.”

Buzzing Hub, a customised learning management system, was developed for the new Engineering Technician Initial Career Course (ETICC) by a joint team from the Royal Navy and VT Flagship (now part of VT Group’s Sea organisation). It has proved highly successful since its first delivery in September 2006, delivering cost reductions through a reduced drop out rate. It has also produced more effective staff through reducing time spent in the classroom, enabling a greater level of practical training. As a result, recruits are more motivated and fully productive in a shorter period - completing on-the-job taskbook training six months earlier on average than their predecessors.

Commodore Rymer, the Commanding Officer of HMS SULTAN said: ”The Buzzing Hub project took a revolutionary training concept and has put it into action.  It is now in use in the classroom, in the workshop, and, using the internet, wherever trainees wish to work.  At its heart is a very modern and exciting computer based training system backed by lots of practical work and traditional teaching, which allows us to adjust the way we teach to the way that every individual student learns. 

“The project’s success is all down to some really inspirational leadership and innovative teamwork between the people from VT and RN School of Marine Engineering who were totally committed to developing the concept and delivering a very special project.  My congratulations go to them all on winning this prestigious National Training Award.”

Key to the success of the new course, accredited by the City & Guilds, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and awarded NVQ level 2 by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, was the ability of the instructors to change their role and style of delivery. A Train the Trainer and mentoring programme was put in place for RN and VT instructors, who were also involved in designing the ETICC course.

Simon Bartley, Chief Executive of UK Skills which manages the National Training Awards said:  “The winners in the South East have demonstrated that training is an investment not a cost and that it can transform companies, careers, and communities.  I congratulate them all on what they have achieved.”

Skills Minister Kevin Brennan said:  “It is more important than ever that we continue to support and invest in the training of our workforce, helping individuals develop their
skills as well helping businesses stay competitive and prepare for the upturn and the opportunities the future will present.

“This year’s winners demonstrate the diverse range of training taking place within the UK and the benefits it is delivering to organisations and employees.”

ltr: Comodore Rymer, Captain Woodcock, Dave Hobbs, Garry Aplin, Caroline Gazla, Commander Andy Cree with host Fred Dinenage