An Amey apprentice has been given special recognition for his work during a special study week for Railway Engineering Design Technician Apprentices (REDT).
Matthew Stroppolo, who is based at Amey’s International Design Hub in Birmingham, attended a Study Week at the National Training Academy for Rail a state of the art facility located in Northampton with 53 other apprentices, including 12 from Amey.
Matthew received a Performance Award for participation and conduct over the week, presented by STEGTA Chief Executive John Whitby. Of the 53 Apprentices who attended the Study Week, only 4 awards of this nature were presented. Matthew received a certificate and a £50 Amazon voucher.
The purpose of the Study Week was to inspire and inform the new apprentices. Through a range of exceptional learning opportunities they learnt about technology, saw how a rail network fits together and practiced team working. The programme included expert speakers, group exercises and visits. Throughout the week they were mentored by recently qualified engineers who acted as role models and tutors. Specialist seminars explaining a particular aspect of railway technology were led by experienced trainers.
During the week the teams were set a practical challenge to design and build a model bridge and programme a robot to drive over it. This gave them valuable experience as to the importance of a staged approach and, through a competition, the need for trade-offs between cost, quality and time. Matthew, along with fellow Amey apprentices Lucas Gavriel and Anthony Farrell, was part of the 13-strong team to win the challenge.
The week was rounded off by an inspirational talk from Kate Hall, Director of the Built Environment at HS2, who also presented Matthew and the winning bridge team with their certificates.
The apprentices will spend the next three years developing their knowledge and skills which, if successfully completed, will entitle them to undertake an end point assessment enabling them to register as an Engineering Technician with the relevant Professional Engineering Institution.
Martin Young, Head of Engineering Management for Amey, said: “I’d like to thank the REDT training team for the great work they have done to pull this exciting new multi discipline training course together. I got an opportunity to visit our apprentices during the week and was very impressed. I’m pleased our apprentices could take part.”
John Whitby, Chief Executive of STEGTA, the Lead Provider, said: “This Study Week has been the best start there could be for the apprentices. It has been such a pleasure for me and my team to watch them grow in confidence improve their communication and team-working skills and get to know their fellow apprentices. This level of change can only be achieved through the intensity of experience offered through a Study Week such as this. We are looking forward to seeing the learning having an impact back in the workplace”