The dualling of the A465 Heads of the Valleys road represents a major investment by the Welsh Government both in Wales’ infrastructure and in one of Wales’ least prosperous areas. However, as well as representing a huge engineering challenge this long term investment offers a significant opportunity for the communities at the Heads of the Valleys to address some long standing issues of unemployment, low educational and skills attainment levels and low aspirations.
Sections 2 and 3 of this major project, which runs through Blaenau Gwent and the northern part of Caerphilly CBC, are being developed by civil engineering companies Costain and Carillion. The projects form part of Constructing Excellence in Wales’ Exemplar Programme which identifies and shares with the industry the reasons why certain projects are successful, taking into account all aspects of sustainability, including economic, social and environmental criteria. What is particularly evident on these specific projects is the passion with which the whole team, from the Welsh Government client and their representatives, EC Harris, right through to those doing the work on the ground, are pursuing the opportunities for the local community and the innovative ways in which they are delivering these.
Bill Hughes and Julia Allen of EC Harris, client representatives for the project, have developed an apprenticeship scheme, which follows training development routes set out by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE Wales Cymru), to develop the skills and knowledge of young people from the Heads of the Valleys communities. This innovative programme makes the most of the investment offered by these projects and will leave a positive legacy for the community. Bill explained :
"Our vision for the Heads of the Valleys Apprenticeship Scheme is for it to be recognised as the leading apprenticeship scheme in Wales for young people wishing to pursue a professional career in construction"
"We launched the scheme just over a year ago and have already created 26 apprentice roles in Civil Engineering and Quantity Surveying. These jobs are long term with major consultant and construction companies based in Wales. All the training needs for each apprentice is facilitated, monitored and coordinated through EC Harris in Cardiff ensuring the highest standards of training are available. This is achieved by secondment of the apprentices if necessary around the cohort of employers."
"Working with our private sector partners, the Welsh Government, and the professional institutions, our goal is to be remembered for delivering a sustainable employment legacy in the valleys long after the scheme is finished, and not just our role as Employer Agent in the construction.”
Hannah Browne is an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor who is benefitting from the programme and this investment from the Welsh Government :
“I started working for EC Harris just over a year ago as an apprentice quantity surveyor. I have been following a day release route which means that I am in college one day a week completing a BTEC level 3 diploma in construction and I am also completing an NVQ level 3 in surveying."
"An apprenticeship is such a great way to work and learn and is giving me the chance to gain valuable experience in the office and also attend site to get experience in the field. I feel that this is the perfect way for me to achieve my ambition of being a quantity surveyor without amassing a large student debt.”
Mike Cummine is a Project Manager with Carillion Civil Engineering, one of the main contractors on the project :
“Carillion are very pleased to be working in conjunction with EC Harris and the Welsh Government to provide valuable technical apprentice training opportunities on the A465 Dualling Scheme between Brynmawr and Tredegar"
"Involvement in this project offers these young people an exciting opportunity to start a professional career through a combination of academic studies and practical experience. For Carillion this is an excellent opportunity to attract and inspire ambitious young people into civil engineering, creating the workforce for a prosperous future in Wales.”
As well as offering work-based learning opportunities links with local centres of education are essential to meeting the needs of trainees to ensure they gain a rounded experience. One of those centres is Ystrad Mynach College. Stephen Ward is a Lecturer in the Built Environment :
“I see all surveying apprentices as future chartered surveyors and the college acting as a bridge between school and university education"
"On the job training provided by the employers is assessed via the NVQ which directly relates to the apprentices’ specific job role. At Coleg Y Cymoedd we try to broaden their knowledge by introducing new topics associated with other professionals within the construction industry, enabling them to become more rounded technicians."
"In addition, surveyors need the ability to question and solve practical problems. So at the college realistic scenarios are set to challenge the apprentices and encourage research and independent learning."
"The proactive support given to the college by the employers, EC Harris and the Chartered Surveyors Training Trust is tremendous. I have no doubt that after the two year apprenticeship the apprentices will be prepared to undertake a degree and achieve professional qualifications.”
The passion and drive demonstrated by Bill and Julia of EC Harris has been essential in establishing this programme but without the investment made by the Welsh Government and the application of policies to target recruitment and training there would be no construction work to underpin the programme.
Ed Evans, CEWales’ Director of the Exemplar Programme :
“This is a great example of how a team approach linked to sensible procurement practices can generate so much added value from construction investment. We will be capturing the lessons learnt from this project as part of our Exemplar Programme googlemap of case studies and will be sharing these with the broader industry so that we can raise standards across Wales. The commitment and passion demonstrated by the whole team shows what can be done over and above the physical construction works. This training scheme will leave a positive legacy for the area and, hopefully, support the continued regeneration of these communities”.
