Intelligence analysis specialists Intelligencia Training Limited have recorded a national first with a unique training programme carried out with Northumbrian Water Group (NWG).

Nineteen staff from Northumbrian Water Group became the first from any UK-based utilities company to successfully complete the Higher Diploma in Intelligence Operations, which is delivered by Intelligencia Training Limited.

The specialist qualification was designed specifically for Military and Government intelligence analysts to help increase the effectiveness of operational analysis and decision-making.  NWG decided to work with Intelligencia Training Limited after realising the potential of the qualification for its own operational analysis and decision-making with a specific emphasis on customer service.

Personnel from areas of the business including Asset Planning, Forecasting, Operations Support, Business Intelligence, HR and Project Management came together for the six month course, which concluded with a presentation of findings from the programme.

Barry Searle, who led delivery of the programme for Intelligencia Training Limited,  said: “We have delivered this programme many times in the public sector and we were very interested to see how it would be beneficial in the water sector. The cross-departmental sharing of ideas, processes and specific data requirements was invaluable to all parties. We have already seen some very subtle, yet effective, changes to working practices that will have a beneficial impact to operations moving forward. This was one of the most rewarding sectors in which we have delivered this particular qualification and we’re looking forward to future deliveries.”

Fiona Forster, Business Support Analyst for NWG, said: “The course was interesting and relevant to my role. It was important to me that this was a formal qualification that was nationally recognised, which gives it more recognition.”

Janet Ayre, Asset Planner, said: “The course used useful and thought-provoking techniques and processes which the business could utilise when looking at specific problems to be addressed.”

Philip Kilvington, Asset Planner, said: “For the water industry as a whole, I feel that this course does provide benefits, particularly in the areas of customer feedback and research and also in the analysis of data from technical sources on water and wastewater assets. I believe this course would definitely work best for those involved in the analysis of customer and technical data, to drive initiatives to improve customer service or better target investment in their assets.”

Tracey Greener, NWG Training Contracts Manager, said: “NWG are delighted to have been the first water utility company in the country to recognise the opportunity that this Intelligence Analysis training offers.

“Our business is already seeing significant advantages from the of cross departmental sharing of data and analysis and from the change in individuals approach to and understanding of their roles and the impact they can make, never mind that 19 of our senior managers have also achieved a very specialist Level 4 qualification. We are now looking at other staff and management who would benefit from this Level 4 programme.”

You can find out more about Intelligencia Training Limited and its products at www.intelligenciatraining.com