THE MAGAZINE FOR THE DRAINAGE, WATER & WASTEWATER INDUSTRIES
TRAINING
offering significant time and cost savings.
Introductions and refreshers Some of the Gel Engineering participants were experienced users looking to freshen up their knowledge and skills, while others were completely new to PERI systems.
Robin Heath, Gel Engineering’s Mechanical Site Supervisor for the Rye Meads STW project, appreciated the opportunity to get hands-on with the equipment.
“We’ll be using RUNDFLEX to add an extension to a digester wall. It’s great to come and get a feel for it – have a play, see what it’s all about,” he said. “As a site supervisor I need to make sure it’s being put up properly and to design.”
Meanwhile, Darren Crandle, who supervises civil works for the company, stressed the importance of familiarising new members of the team with the systems they’ll be using on site.
“I’ve been in the game for 39 years now, so I know most of the PERI systems, but this was a great chance to bring the guys down, get a bit of team bonding going, and let them see how everything fits together,” he said.
Apprentice fitter Mitchell Armstrong felt the session was crucial for his development.
“Since I’m still learning the ropes, I wanted to understand more about what we do and how to do it better. This kind of practical experience is really valuable.”
Project Engineer Michael Owolabi echoed that sentiment, adding that the day gave him confidence ahead of managing future projects involving RUNDFLEX and MULTIPROP.
“I’d not used MULTIPROP before, so I wanted to understand its capabilities. It’s actually quite straightforward, which is great. Now I know what it can do – and just as importantly, what we don’t need.”
Laying the foundation for future success
Following the success of the session, PERI UK and Gel Engineering are already planning further training days every few months to bring additional team members up to speed as Thames Water’s schemes progress.
“For us, it’s not just about supplying equipment,” Patrick concludes. “It’s about building long-term partnerships, sharing knowledge, and helping customers deliver essential infrastructure projects safely, efficiently, and with confidence.”
Learn more about PERI UK training services or PERI UK’s expertise in the energy and water infrastructure sectors.
Government apprenticeship changes welcomed by leading pump business
Landia, the leading pump and mixing manufacturer, has welcomed government moves to invest in tens of thousands of new apprenticeships and training opportunities.
At a time when around one million 16- to-24-year-olds are neither working, nor in full-time education or training, Landia believes that its consistent success in developing highly tailored opportunities creates huge benefits for a business and those young people keen to carve out a career.
Speaking for Landia, Tamas Rieder (Service and Aftersales Manager), who steers Landia apprentices through their journey from beginning to end, commented:
“To reap the rewards of seeing homegrown apprentices mature into skilled employees, companies must now take full responsibility and realise
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that your workforce is only going to be as good as you train them to be.
“Arm your apprentices with the proper tools to do the job, encourage them, give them time and proper hands-on experience.
“There’s no doubt that this is a long process, but it is very rewarding and totally worth all the effort. It is a big win-win; young new engineers who already have first-class skills and the right attitude towards serving our customers. In addition to our five fully qualified apprentices (three of whom have been Landia for over a decade) our current apprentice, Will Lewis, is soon to complete his first 12 months with us.”
He continued: “Gone are the days when smaller firms would just cash in for free on a flood of new apprentices that came out of the big businesses hungry
for work. Those big industry names simply aren't there anymore.
“Anything the government can do, as they say, ‘to back the next generation by giving young people more opportunities to learn a trade, earn a wage and achieve and thrive’ should be welcomed.
“Successive governments decided that it was far cheaper to import skills than help train our own children, so no wonder we have so many unskilled, unmotivated young people in the UK because nobody has trained them. It is high time to put this right.”
Tamas Rieder (left) from Landia (Service & Aftersales Manager) with Landia apprentice Will Lewis.
July 2025 | 39
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