Sector Focus


Promotion for apprentices


Two apprentices from Birmingham professional services consultancy WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff were chosen to help fly the flag for apprenticeships at the House of Commons, at an event hosted by The Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Skills, Robert Halfon MP. Rupinder Kooner and Iqra


Pervez – both working in the firm’s building services division – were among 160 apprentices nationwide invited to the event. The ‘apprentice takeover’ of


the House of Commons celebrated the tenth year of National Apprenticeship Week. Iqra said: “It was interesting


and exciting to hear about the plans for driving up quality in apprenticeships, and the efforts make it mandatory for schools and colleges to inform students about apprenticeship options.” WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff


has taken on five apprentices in the past year at its Queen’s Drive base - bringing the total number to 15 locally and 90 nationally.


Skills College names principal


The National College for High Speed Rail has appointed Jackie Grubb (pictured) as its principal. She will lead the education of next generation


rail technicians and engineers at the largest of the government’s five new employer- led national colleges. Jackie will oversee the training


provision for around 1,300 learners annually at the new £40m educational institution, in preparation for the country’s future high speed rail infrastructure. Learners will gain world-class skills


at the college as they are taught across two new state-of-the-art campuses, in Birmingham and Doncaster.


‘I’m looking forward to building a new, diverse workforce for the rail sector’


With more than 30-years of experience working in


further education, including substantial experience in senior positions within the sector; she will be focussed on steering the new employer-led college to success. Ms Grubb began work as a lecturer and has since


taken on a variety of senior roles including director at Swindon College, and deputy principal at Basingstoke College of Technology. As the UK needs at least 182,000 people with engineering skills each year until 2022, the National College for High Speed Rail is preparing to play a central role in addressing this nationwide shortage.


need. “The college is set to create a new generation of


highly-proficient workers based across the country who will help make Britain’s infrastructure stronger.” With £500 million worth of investment in Britain’s


infrastructure in the pipeline, graduates from the National College of High Speed Rail, will be ready to take on significant career opportunities. The college is looking for applicants who want to


join this technical revolution and has recently kicked off its latest campaign #doorsareopening which aims to attract future learners. The two college campuses will each specialise in


different disciplines with Doncaster focusing on rolling stock, track systems and power, and Birmingham on civil engineering, command, control and communications.


College leavers will be eligible for a range of new positions after graduating, which will include high-tech engineering, management, design, and communications roles. Jackie Grubb, said: “With the college gearing up to launch this September and produce a new generation of highly skilled professionals who will lead Britain’s rail industry, this is a great time to join the team. “I’m looking forward to building a


new, diverse workforce for the rail sector and I’m absolutely committed to working with our growing network of employers to offer cutting edge


technical and professional courses which produce the talented young people they


Cliff College provides education and training with a particular focus on mission and evangelism. The College is situated on the outskirts of the village of Calver in the Peak District National Park.


Historically, Cliff was a Methodist Lay Training college. Today our student body is both lay and ordained and from a range of denominational backgrounds.


A conference centre is also situated in the grounds of the College.


We are experienced in accommodating groups of varying sizes and with differing needs and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you all that we can offer in order to make your conference a success.


Friendly and professional staff are ready to help you from your initial enquiry through to the end of your conference. We look forward to welcoming you to our facilities. We can host both residential and day conferences in our glorious surroundings.


To discuss your requirements please call: 01246 584200 or 01246 584205


Email: conferences@cliffcollege.ac.uk


For further details visit: www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/conferences/home/


52 CHAMBERLINK May 2017


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