BYLOR in partnership with Bridgwater & Taunton College carefully selected the 12 digital engineering apprentices to fill an identified skills gap for the Hinkley Point C project and future major infrastructure projects where new technology can have real cost and efficiency benefits.
Digital Engineers work with multiple sets of data to create 3D imagery of a building or structure, using Building Information Modelling to successfully manage the delivery of projects. The Apprenticeship is particularly suitable for those with an interest in IT, software, construction and design, and has been developed by BYLOR to incorporate the specialist technical skills that the civil engineering sector so desperately needs; the intention is to recruit further cohorts each year, from a range of industry organisations.
At the apprentices’ induction day, BYLOR’s Senior Digital Engineer – Terry Parkinson – said: “This is an amazing and unique opportunity. You will be part of the delivery team building Europe’s largest construction project and working on the first new nuclear power station to be built in the UK for a generation. Your input, expertise and passion will enable us to complete the project safely, to the required level of quality, on time and on budget.”
New Apprentice Connor Siner said: “I am so excited to be offered this Apprenticeship with BYLOR. I saw a presentation a while back from BYLOR about the Digital Engineer role and knew this was what I wanted to do. I have relocated from Liverpool for this opportunity and can’t wait to start the apprenticeship, study at the New National College for Nuclear and get paid as well. To work on the HPC project is an honour and also a fantastic opportunity to kick start my career.”
College representative Paul Goss, Head of the National College for Nuclear, said: “We’re very excited to be working with BYLOR to deliver this Apprenticeship for the first time at the National College for Nuclear. It comes at a much needed time for the industry, with Hinkley Point C just the first of several major construction projects coming up against the backdrop of a known shortage of relevant skills.”
Laing O’Rourke, the JV partner, Bridgwater & Taunton College and CITB have been working on the new NVQ and standard for the last three years.
This is not the first time that Bridgwater & Taunton College has worked closely with BYLOR. Its highly successful Steel Fixing Apprenticeship was developed four years ago to address the needs of Hinkley Point C, and has seen a number of formerly unemployed individuals into permanent work as skilled technicians and supervisors.
