Seán McKirdy, Mechanical Engineering Director at RB Plant Construction and ECITB’s Regional Chair for the South/EDP* region believes apprenticeships are key to driving the workforce growth needed to meet demand for future projects.
He said: “We have an excellent graduate programme here at RB Plant but we are finding that the pool of high-calibre graduates is getting smaller each year. Engineering companies are all competing for good calibre graduates – and it’s the same across Europe.
“Senior managers who have followed an apprenticeship route tend to have a broader understanding and more practical knowledge on the physical aspects of the job, such as welding or maintaining equipment.”
ECITB scholarships de-risking recruitment
“We are looking to start a new apprenticeship programme at RB Plant to drive the next generation of engineers.
“Our biggest priority is the development of design and engineering skills and there is a shortage of CAD designers.
“We visited Richmond College** to meet some of the ECITB Design and Draughting scholars. Two of our designers actually went to Richmond College.
“I think the scholarship programme creates a good pipeline of new talent to industry. It is perfect for us. We could not have written a better syllabus for them to do.
“It essentially de-risks the recruitment for us.
“We get motivated, new recruits who have already gone through training to gain the basic building blocks and can enter the workforce.”
Seán McKirdy
Mechanical Engineering Director, RB Plant Construction
British engineering needs careers promoting in schools
Seán is a passionate advocate for STEM education. As a STEMNET and IMechE STEM ambassador, he actively encourages young people to pursue careers in engineering and is inspiring the next generation of industry leaders.
“We need stronger engagement across industry to showcase engineering as an exciting and rewarding career option – and this effort must begin at an earlier age.
“UK industry leaders and employers of all sizes are demanding urgent reform to the national curriculum, making design, engineering, and technology mandatory subjects in schools.
“Without this change, we will continue to see declining numbers of students pursuing STEM apprenticeships and engineering degrees, starving businesses like RB Plant of the skilled talent they need to grow.
“Hands-on exposure to these subjects must start early, reigniting students’ passion and equipping them with the skills our economy depends on.
“The current shortage of qualified graduates and apprentices is already limiting the expansion of UK businesses. If we fail to act now, this skills gap will only widen, threatening our global competitiveness and the future of British engineering.”
Image: Seán met the scholars at Richmond College and demonstrated RB Plant’s 3D scanners.
RB Plant encourages its engineers to actively engage in STEM activities and initiatives such as ECITB’s Innov8 Group.
This comprises early-career professionals from all eight sectors of the engineering construction industry (ECI) who help to shape the ECITB’s careers work, industry training and development.
They provide fresh perspectives on ECI careers to help industry attract a new generation of engaged, diverse and dynamic engineers.
Lauriann Williams, Civil Engineer at RB Plant, is on the ECITB Innov8 group.
“I joined Innov8 to network with like-minded individuals who are looking to see positive shifts within their respective fields. To connect with different people and hear their views on important topics that impact us in our career journeys.”
Lauriann Williams
Civil Engineer, RB Plant
*Engineering, Design and Procurement (EDP) – these are in-scope companies whose head office is in the UK but who don’t employ site-based staff.
** Richmond College is part of the Harrow, Richmond & Uxbridge Colleges Group (HRUC).
About RB Plant
Founded by Richard Bishop in 1969, RB Group, is a multi-disciplinary engineering group that provides professional engineering consultancy, design, project, and construction management services across a wide range of sectors from Pharmaceuticals to Heavy Engineering.
It undertakes every stage of a project lifecycle from initial conception to commissioning, both globally and within the UK.
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