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The student - Holly Morgan
Prior to starting her apprenticeship Holly worked for a scaffolding firm, putting up structures on building sites around Southampton. After hearing about the range of ECITB apprenticeship opportunities available, Holly enrolled on a rigging apprenticeship at the Southampton Engineering Training Association.
The ECITB Apprenticeship Experience
Holly began her ECITB Moving Loads Apprenticeship with a full year off-the-job training working towards an NVQ Level 2 in Performing Engineering Operations and a City & Guilds qualification. Typical units covered during the training include safe storage of lifting equipment, dismantling equipment ready for moving, hazard identification, technical leadership and determining technical requirements to lift, move and position loads. She then transferred to her sponsor company, Jordan Engineering Services, where she continues to work towards an NVQ Level 3 in the workplace.
As a rigging apprentice she works as part of a team responsible for moving heavy loads such as pipes using a variety of machinery including telecranes, cherry pickers and forklift trucks. Holly does not believe that being a woman in the male-dominated engineering construction industry has been an issue and comments, “My gender has never been a problem – all the men I have worked and trained with have been really nice and supportive. I think perhaps in other male dominated industries there is a need for women to go that extra mile to prove their capabilities but I have found everyone is treated equally.”
The skills shortage in the industry has meant that the ECITB is currently looking to expand the pool of talent it can draw on and is keen to recruit women. Holly adds, “Many women might have thought that the work is too physical or the loads we deal with are too heavy for them to handle but really it’s all about technique. The fact that I work outside in sunshine, rain and snow, may not appeal to everyone but there are a range of other jobs in the industry to choose from. I really want to inspire other women and let them know that they are more than capable of finding a suitable role in engineering construction.”
Qualities required
Moving loads is one of the most highly responsible jobs in the engineering and construction industry. The ideal candidate should be keen, capable and willing to accept and work hard in fulfilling this responsibility. He/she must be able to work well as a member of a team, having the safety of self, others, the load and the lifting equipment at the forefront of their minds. Planning and executing a lift requires a thorough and logical approach, excellent communication skills and the persistence to see the job all the way through to a successful conclusion.
What you could be working on
You will usually be working on a construction site - in all weathers - to assist in the installation of machinery and equipment. You will work with teams of other skilled trades people to help assemble - or dismantle - plant and structural steelwork, on anything from a new sports stadium to an oil refinery.
Contacts
- Andy Brown
- Head of Research & Development
- 01572 759463
- AndyBrown@ecitb.org.uk
- Jim Kinnell
- Head of Apprenticeships Programmes
- Theresa Bisgrove
- Apprenticeships Administrator