Five hard-working apprentices are gaining both practical skills and academic qualifications through their employers’ involvement in the redevelopment of North Manchester General Hospital (NMGH).
To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (8-14 February), the NMGH project team is showcasing the contribution of apprentices Rob Childs, Jack Dash, Tom Marner, Beth McCrystal and James Robinson.
Rob is an apprentice project manager with RLB and is studying Construction Management through a degree apprenticeship. His training includes developing feasibility studies, estates strategies and business cases.
Part of the Arup team, Jack’s apprenticeship is in Building Services and Sustainable Engineering. He has been working on the space requirements for plant equipment, water utility services and mechanical, electrical and plumbing services design for buildings at NMGH.
Also an apprentice at Arup, Tom is studying Building Services Engineering for his apprenticeship. He quickly progressed from assisting other technicians to co-ordinating the replacement ventilation system for the existing acute hospital buildings.
Beth is doing a degree apprenticeship in Quantity Surveying and is assistant costs consultant with Arcadis on the NMGH project. She has provided costs for the enabling works and security projects at the early design stages, and assisted in tender review processes.
Assistant electrical engineer James has recently completed his advance level apprenticeship with his employer S I Sealy and is now studying for his HNC in Building Services Engineering. His work involves focusing on electrical systems such as lighting, power, data and fire alarms.
“There are many benefits of completing an apprenticeship: the opportunity to gain practical skills, earn money, and learn simultaneously in an area that I am passionate about,” said James. “The experience you gain from working alongside more senior team members is invaluable and, in my opinion, is not something that can be learnt in a classroom alone.”
Added Michelle Humphreys, Director of Strategic Projects at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which is leading the NMGH redevelopment: “We are delighted that these enthusiastic apprentices are helping us to deliver the transformation of NMGH while also developing their professional skills and gaining qualifications. Creating employment, training and education opportunities for local people is a fundamental principle of the redevelopment programme and apprenticeships are a key part of achieving this aim.”
Follow these links to read Rob’s story, Jack’s story, Tom’s story, Beth’s story and James’s story.