Severn Trent Water is one of the UK's largest water and wastewater companies. Their site managers and supervisors needed management-level utility avoidance training that went beyond standard operative courses. The programme had to include formal assessment, not just attendance, and be built around Severn Trent's own policies and procedures.
The Brief from Severn Trent Water
Severn Trent identified that their site managers and supervisors were making decisions about excavation work without having the management-level knowledge to do so safely. Standard cable avoidance courses train operatives on how to use equipment, but they do not address the management responsibilities: understanding policies, interpreting CAT Manager data, investigating strikes, and ensuring correct USAG form completion. Severn Trent needed a programme pitched at the management level with formal assessment to evidence competence.
Group sizes were to be kept to a maximum of 6 delegates to ensure meaningful discussion and individual assessment.
What Sygma Designed
Sygma designed a 2-day programme with a flexible classroom and practical split. The programme covers five core modules, with the USAG form completion module formally assessed.
| Module | Focus |
|---|---|
| STW Policies and Procedures | Severn Trent Water's internal policies governing utility avoidance and safe excavation |
| Management-Level Utility Avoidance | The management responsibilities that go beyond operative-level equipment use |
| CAT Manager Data Analysis | Interpreting CAT Manager data as a management and compliance tool |
| Strike Investigation | How to investigate and learn from utility strike incidents |
| USAG Form Completion (Assessed) | Formally assessed completion of the Underground Services Avoidance Group form |
How It Works in Practice
The 2-day programme has a flexible split between classroom and practical elements, which can be adjusted based on the needs of each cohort. Sessions can be delivered at Severn Trent Water facilities, on a managed site with buried services, or at Sygma's training centre in Wigan. Group sizes are capped at 6 delegates to allow for individual attention and meaningful assessment. Feedback is collected via QR-code survey at the end of the programme.
Key Outcomes
| Outcome | Detail |
|---|---|
| Policy-Aligned Competence | Managers trained on Severn Trent's own policies, not generic industry guidance |
| Assessed, Not Just Attended | Formal assessment provides documented evidence of management-level understanding |
| CAT Manager as Management Tool | Managers understand how to use CAT Manager data for oversight and compliance |
| Strike Investigation Capability | Managers can lead or contribute to strike investigations with structured methodology |
| USAG Compliance | Correct USAG form completion practised and formally assessed |
| Small Group Quality | Maximum 6 delegates ensures individual attention and meaningful discussion |
Want a Programme Built Around Your Organisation?
If your managers and supervisors need training that reflects your own policies, procedures, and compliance requirements, Sygma can design a bespoke programme built around your organisation.
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