Apprenticeships & Training ConstructionWorX
Training Our Future Engineers
Diego Cossio, development engineer at Webtec seen here presenting the Roy Cuthbert Scholarship to this year’s winner Ethan Green.
As a specialist manufacturer of hydraulic measurement and control products, helping to improve the productivity of construction machinery, Webtec have experienced first-hand the skills shortage in our industry. Their MD, Martin Cuthbert talks to Construction Worx about the company’s efforts to engage and retain apprentices and encourage our future engineers… Webtec is committed to increase the knowledge and skills of its employees, customers and the wider community. From modern apprenticeship schemes to educating and encouraging the next generation of engineers the company believe in practicing what it preaches and sponsor programmes such as the Arkwright Scholarship Trust, Engineering Education Scheme and The Secondary Engineer® Fluid Power Challenge. Martin said, “Each year we have openings for apprentices covering roles including engineering, manufacturing and sales. Each apprenticeship lasts around 3 ½ years and includes college day-release plus comprehensive in-house training with continuous assessment and a mentorship programme. We currently have four apprentices at various stages of their training, with another two successfully completing their apprenticeships and now fully working for the company in engineering roles. This number is set to increase as we are already looking for our intake of potential new recruits for this year.” However, finding the right talent with an interest in engineering is not always easy, so to encourage youth into the industry Webtec take part in both local and national sponsorship and educational schemes. Martin added, “We have strong links with local schools and colleges and regularly attend job fairs and open days. We believe that local recruitment is important to nurture the talent available, but we often find ourselves competing with other more ‘fashionable’ professions. But times are changing with the importance now given to teaching STEM subjects at schools and national schemes such as ‘The Secondary Engineer® Fluid Power Challenge’, which are designed to attract secondary school pupils into engineering.” Another scheme for young engineers is run by the Engineering Development Trust (EDT) called the ‘Engineering Education Scheme’ (EES) which links teams of 16/17 year old pupils and their teacher with local companies to work on real, scientific and technological problems. Webtec work with their local St Ivo Academy. The Arkwright Engineering Scholarship Trust acts as a beacon to the
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most talented STEM students in UK schools and who aim to ensure that high-potential young people, in the critical 16 to 18 age range, stay engaged in the engineering careers pipeline. Martin said, “For the past six years we have sponsored the Roy Cuthbert Scholarship, part of this award scheme, which was named after Webtec’s founder, a passionate engineer and entrepreneur who passed away in 2013. Knowledge and education go hand in hand and as such we wanted to find a way to share our vast experience and information with a wider audience. After many months in preparation we launched ‘An Introduction to Practical Hydraulic System Maintenance’, a guide for all fluid power technicians. Co-authored by industry expert Steve Skinner and myself we believe that this is an invaluable tool aimed to help educate technicians and engineers new to hydraulic fluid power maintenance and hydraulic engineers embarking on a career in this industry.” The guide is available via Amazon and Kindle, and has been reviewed and endorsed by several organisations including the British Fluid Power Association, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, National Fluid Power Centre, British Valve and Actuator Association and the Construction Equipment Association. All profits made from the book will be donated to support STEM programmes. Webtec also has a dedicated ‘Education’ resource section on their website where specific product and educational guides can be downloaded for free – see https://www.webtec.com/ education/. Martin concluded, “As a company proud of its heritage, we are committed to inspiring others to enjoy the challenges that engineering brings.” ■
