On Monday 16 January, Level 3 BTEC Electrical and Electronic Engineering students at Richmond upon Thames College (RuTC) were visited by Emma Barbour, Talent Acquisition Partner for UK Power Networks. UK Power Networks is one of the largest employers in the South East, and is looking to recruit across the area. 

Each year Richmond upon Thames College’s Engineering department holds a special awards ceremony for apprentices on their first year of the Engineering Design and Draughtsperson Level 3 Apprenticeship.

This year our lecturers have found it difficult to select award winners as all apprentices performed to a very high standard with the highest possible predicted grades.

Dawn Thompson Regional Account Manager for ECITB presented certificates to seven apprentices for successful completion of the Smartplant 3D and PDMS training.

Student Cameron Bennett won the Mike Reynolds Apprentice of the Year Award, presented by Tim Smith Mechanical Department Manager from Jacobs.

The final award went to Lewis Cunningham for HNC Student of the Year, sponsored by KBR and presented by Chief Design Engineer, Terry Stone.

Curriculum Manager for Engineering and Technology, Mark Rogers says: “The apprentices have worked extremely hard in completing all the various elements and have been a credit to themselves and the employers that they work for.”

Find out more about Engineering Courses and Apprenticeships here.

On Wednesday 19th October, construction crafts students studying brickwork, carpentry and joinery and plumbing at Richmond upon Thames College attended guest talks given from industry experts at Willmott Dixon, a major nationwide construction and fit-out company.

Construction Crafts students were given industry advice and top tips on how to maximise employment potential from building manager Adam Elrick and apprenticeship manager Samantha Page. Students were able to learn about work experience opportunities, apprenticeship vacancies and were encouraged to make site visits with the company so they can see construction work in practice. Louis Carnovale, a current apprentice at Willmott Dixon also spoke to students about his apprenticeship and role. Adam commented, “Young people are essential to the continued development of the construction industry. Hungry young professionals are what will guide us to a more sustainable future.”

Mannix Flemming-Taylor, carpentry level 1 student said, “the talk was really helpful and gave me a better understanding of the opportunities available within the construction industry.”

Willmott Dixon are currently working on Richmond upon Thames College’s new campus, which will open in 2019 as part of the REEC enterprise initiative.