A workshop focused on encouraging an interest in civil engineering among the long-term unemployed was recently hosted by RSK Group’s engineering and construction firm SCP.
The event was delivered in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Households into Work programme, which supports people who have difficulty finding and sustaining employment.
Nine local residents, including engineering graduates and those with little or no construction experience, attended a two-day practical workshop to develop skills and foster engagement in civil engineering.
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The workshop focused on three key engineering disciplines: surveying, engineering design and contracting.
It was structured to cover several stages of a typical project’s lifespan, from surveys to design and drawing production, through to the eventual construction input.
SCP was joined by workshop partners CMS Surveys and A E Yates Civil Engineering in demonstrating, through a live project, the level of information that is produced at each stage.
'Exceptional' candidates
The second day of the workshop involved a CV and interview skills session, along with interviews conducted by SCP regional director Tracy Magee and associate director Stuart McIndoe.
Commenting on the event, Magee said: “Giving something back to the community in which we operate in practical terms is a priority for SCP and RSK. We were pleased to be able to work with the partners and to supply useful skills to get the project off the ground. It was rewarding to showcase the key skills needed to build a career in the field, as well as the opportunities on offer.
“At the start of this process we realised that while not all the candidates had specific design or construction experience, it was important to look beyond this and instead at the softer skills that make a good engineer [or] technician.
"These include an appreciation of the construction and design process, being able to work as part of a team, demonstrating good communication skills and above all, having an enquiring mind with problem-solving abilities.
“The quality of all the candidates we interviewed was exceptional, with each displaying a lot of the soft skills we were looking for.”
Career opportunity
One of the attendees, Alex Campbell, impressed the team with his enthusiasm throughout the workshop and interview process.
He will be joining SCP for six weeks in the role of engineering technician, where he’ll be involved in the production of AutoCAD drawings and technical notes under the supervision of a senior engineer.
It is hoped that Campbell will also have the opportunity to visit several sites, where he can participate in site inspections, ground investigations and meetings with contractors.
He said: “The workshop gave me knowledge and insight into civil engineering, and it was great getting first-hand experience of computer-aided design.
“I found the interview process relaxed and was overjoyed when I found out I’d successfully secured the placement. I’m looking forward to learning more from the team at SCP and making the most of the opportunity.”
Marion Atkinson, education and skills portfolio holder at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, added: “The region’s Households into Work programme has supported more than 4,000 people since it began in 2018, and this project is yet another example of how powerful and successful it can be.
“Workshops, like the one hosted by RSK Group, show the tangible benefits of ensuring our partners deliver social value in all the projects they undertake.
“Working closely with contractors and suppliers, we can ensure not only that vital infrastructure is built and services are delivered but also that we help improve lives and drive economic resilience across the entire city region.”
