Institution news
Jill Dwyer, the Institution’s Business Development Executive for the Western, South Wales and Western region, recently visited the Avonmouth sewage treatment works to meet apprentices and present Wessex Water with the Institution's certificate of approval for the scheme.
Jon Wright, Asset Planning Manager at Wessex Water, said: “The recognition from the IMechE will significantly improve the personal and professional development prospects for the apprentices, and membership will provide them with the opportunity to visit other organisations and sites of engineering interest and meet other young members across the region.”
The mechanical and electrical apprenticeship scheme helps Wessex Water develop the skills of its apprentices so that they can work across different specialist areas within the organisation.
The scheme currently has 17 apprentices aged between 18 and 26, and combines field-based practical work and college study. The apprentices are encouraged to be independent and given responsibility early in their career. Those that want to continue with their education after the apprenticeships are actively supported and encouraged to go on to do a degree.
According to Wessex Water, achieving the professional qualification of Engineering Technician (EngTech) is also good for technicians and for the company.
The organisation is also keen to build a multi-skilled and flexible work force for the future. It has worked with the Institution for a number of years to support its graduate engineers via the Institution’s Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS).
Jill and other members of the Institution’s business development team work with engineering companies, colleges and training providers throughout the UK to help them gain approval for their apprenticeship schemes.
She said: “I was impressed by the energy and effort that Wessex Water put into developing their engineering apprentices. They go out of their way to identify bright and energetic young individuals and then help and support them with their studies and range of work experience. They are given a lot of responsibility and rapidly make a significant contribution to the company.”
According to Jill, applying for apprenticeship scheme approval is straightforward and free of charge. Independent assessors review the application, paying particular attention to the qualifications and content embedded within a scheme as well as the assessment methods and the support provided to apprentices.
She advised that once a scheme was approved, the organisation and its apprentices could take advantage of links to local and regional networks, gain professional development support, and access free events and superb resources.
To find out how to apply for apprenticeship scheme approval please email:
bdm@imeche.org.