HS2 Align JV and TG Tunnelling Apprenticeship Case Study

Tunnelling is thriving. It has seen a boom in recent years with more tunnelling projects announced to take place in the UK and across the world in the years to come.

The well-recognised skills shortage within the industry led to the development of a new Tunnelling Operative Apprenticeship Standard in 2018, with the support of TunnelSkills as the employer-led Trailblazer developing the standard. Following the success of a cohort of Tunnelling Operative Apprentices on the Thames Tideway project in 2019, Align JV had the opportunity to recruit the second cohort through the Labour Only Sub Contractor TG Tunnelling which provides the project with tunnelling expertise and workforce.

One of the main challenges faced by the Tideway cohort of apprentices was the lack of experience within specific elements of tunnelling; this lack of exposure meant that some of the apprentices had to delay their End Point Assessment to allow them to gain experience and knowledge within specific modules of their NVQ. On a project of such a scale, the solution posed a challenge as it involved a level of collaboration between over ten departments many of which had no experience with this specific apprenticeship. The length of the apprenticeship and the number of apprentices on site also presented a challenge, necessitating the coordination of learners with different needs and levels of knowledge.

Learning from the Tideway cohort of apprentices, the Align JV Health, Safety and Wellbeing Director worked with TG Tunnelling, TunnelSkills and the training providers to create a unique development programme for the apprentices.

The Solution - an innovative rotational programme

With the Tideway challenges in mind, Align JV set out to create a rotational apprenticeship where apprentices would spend each month of their apprenticeship working on different sections that are best suited to experience to gain a full 360-degree perspective and understanding of the Tunnelling Industry. Some of these sections included TBM Ring Build, TBM Pilot Cabin, TBM Surface Workshop, TBM Grouting station, among others.

This rotation, combined with mentorship provided by some of the best within the industry, allowed for the complete exposure and vital development needed to prepare future generation of tunnellers. By correctly developing the talent and in the process, addressing the shortage that has present in the industry for decades, these apprentices will be able to continue developing. As a result, they will be able to progress within their careers and allow them to gain better employment opportunities.

Divine, one of the apprentices, said about the scheme 'The apprenticeship programme exceeded my expectations. Every day is a new opportunity to learn something new. You know more today than you did yesterday. The rotation has been convenient, it helps you keep on track of things. The information on the rotation sheet is short and simple.'

Rotating and working with various people in a team and alongside their mentor encouraged apprentices to develop important skills such as collaboration and inclusivity, navigating how each member of a team complements each other and works together to achieve successful outcomes on a large project.

Amy, Shaft Coordinator, and dedicated mentor to the apprentices, said,

'The Apprentices have absolutely flourished through this exciting programme. The apprenticeship has given them invaluable skills, where they are continuously learning new things. The additional benefit of this innovative rotation apprenticeship is they are all developing keen interests in various departments which gives them a variety of opportunities to secure full time employment after the learning programme has finished which is very encouraging to see. This apprenticeship programme has included people recruited from all backgrounds and empowered them to interface with, and learn from, a variety of highly experienced professionals at different levels across a range of skillsets - with has given them such a great start in their careers, and the range of training they have received is fantastic.'

The programme demonstrates a high level of inclusivity, offering excellent career opportunities to fresh new talent since, as a Level 2 apprenticeship, no previous experience is required. The apprenticeship opportunity was promoted across many different employment partnerships, encouraging applicants from all backgrounds.

TunnelSkills, a not-for-profit membership-based organisation with the key objective of improving skills, training and competency within the UK Tunnelling industry is keen to promote the apprenticeship, having been a 'Trailblazer' in the development of the original Tunnelling Operative Apprenticeship standard in 2018. To support this innovative apprenticeship development programme, TunnelSkills provided advice and expertise in the establishment of the rotational programme. TunnelSkills also provided 'hands-on' support before the apprenticeship even started in the Recruitment and Assessment sessions - deploying their innovative Virtual Reality Immersive Learning resources to introduce the aspiring applicants to the tunnelling environment and demonstrate what working below ground would be like.

The Chair of TunnelSkills says, 'It has been a privilege to support this innovative apprenticeship programme. We are proud to have seen the apprentices growing and thriving. It is testament to this innovative programme that they have exciting ambitions to progress further in our industry.'

The results - and a bright future

The Tunnelling Operative Apprenticeship rotation works as a window to a variety of professions and specialisms within the Tunnelling industry. The apprentices in the current cohort have been able to experience diverse work areas including Health & Safety, Surveying, Mechanical & Electrical engineering, and Logistics. From one-to-one meetings with the apprentices it is apparent that the innovative rotation programme has had an impact on many of them who have now decided where exactly they would like to progress in Tunnelling.

This innovative apprenticeship, designed to meet the needs of not only the employer, the industry, the project, but also the needs of the apprentices themselves has resulted in many accolades. It is testament to the success of the programme that many of the apprentices in this cohort have received internal recognition from their employer, and more extensively, from the wider project team and the overarching High Speed 2 project.

In the words of one of the apprentices, 'I have spent time experiencing different areas of the tunnelling industry that are relevant to my future - I have found a career that I am interested in, enjoy and am proud of.' (see link here)

Working with TG Tunnelling (Employer), Qualitrain (Functional Skills) and J3M (Training Provider), this tailored, innovative apprenticeship programme has been designed to blend within the rotation system which has allowed apprentices to gain a broad yet in-depth spectrum of experiences of Health & Safety knowledge and technical skills to allow them to become increasingly valuable within their teams, and forge exciting careers within the tunnelling industry