Jetting 27 million+ passengers to 210 destinations each year is an increasingly complex operation and requires top talent with a specific set of skills. The Manchester Airports Group (MAG) looks to its 22,200 people working within Manchester Airport to not only keep passengers moving around the clock, but to drive efficiency, service quality, growth, and mitigate operational issues. With demand increasing and more people choosing to travel abroad, in Manchester alone, there are a number of projects underway to improve the process of travelling to your holiday destination. We take a look at the construction projects happening right now to make your trip abroad a smoother and more enjoyable experience… TO THE AIRPORT If you’ve been lucky enough to have already been on your summer holiday this year, you will know that Manchester Airport is currently in the process of going through a major construction revamp. The £1bn transformation is one of the country’s biggest construction projects and aims to boost capacity and make travelling an easier experience for the millions of passengers that fly from and to Manchester Airport. At the project’s peak, there will be an estimated 1,500 construction workers and 150 apprentices, which have all been recruited locally. Another excellent initiative to encourage young people into construction roles to bridge the ever-concerning skills gap. The construction site is vast, covering 900,000 sq. ft. and with a completion date of 2020, therefore a wide range of skills are required to complete the project. This project wouldn’t be possible without the highly skilled selection of engineers that work together. For example, Highways Engineers to plan the infrastructure and access, Drainage Engineers to manage the wastewater and water supplies, Site Managers to supervise the construction site and Project Engineers to oversee the overall project. We’ve all been there, you’re running late for your flight and arrive at the airport to find painfully long queues and no parking spaces. Once completed, the transformation will provide travellers with more parking spaces, an increased amount of drop off areas and more accessible roads with reduced traffic. IN THE AIRPORT Improvements are being made once you’re inside Manchester Airport too. Design engineers have been working on developing Manchester Airport’s ‘Super Terminal’ following their £1bn expansion. Their plans include having a two-level departures lounge with high-tech security lanes, queue-busting check-in technology and a speedier journey through security, immigration and baggage claim. The state of the art scanning systems now enables passengers to track their baggage on their smartphone, meaning you never have to worry if your luggage has been lost. This type of advanced technology requires Systems Engineers to design and implement, Infrastructure Engineers to work on the existing and future technology, including cutting-edge security and threat detection systems. These kind of roles are niche and require a very specific set of skills to be able to manage these innovative technologies. The development of the new terminal doesn’t just provide benefits for customers, Manchester Airport is hopeful that the new facilities and expansion will attract airlines to add additional long-haul routes to countries such as Asia and America. ON THE AIRCRAFT Technology is being developed by Aerospace Engineers every day to make your experience whilst you are in the air the most enjoyable it can be. However, a new plane takes more than a decade to put into service and is designed to keep flying for several subsequent decades after. Along with design, they are also responsible for testing and maintenance of the aircraft which we can all appreciate, is a very important factor! Gone are the days of getting on a flight, having no access to the internet and reading 3 books whilst you are enduring an 8 hour trip to New York. Airlines such as Delta have adopted wireless streaming, high-speed internet and in-flight texting. Augmented Reality and Game Engineers are developing new innovative technology and soon you will be able to manage your whole travel experience from your smartphone, from pre-ordering a coffee whilst a robot takes you through security to tracking your baggage and booking executive lounge access. Are you interested in becoming an engineer and working on innovative projects like this? Search our latest jobs at Manchester Airport Group here.
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Process plant machinery is widely used throughout the UK construction industry, creating many elementary process plant operator jobs opportunities for operators at all levels. Read on to find out more about the skills you’ll need and discover whether process plant operating is the right fit for you. RATES £17-40k dependent on experience HOT SPOTS Hinkey Point C/HS2 QUALIFICATION Driving Licence, NVQ, CPCS What do elementary process plant operator jobs involve? Process plant operators control, monitor and maintain the machines and equipment used to move and process materials or chemicals. This can include excavators, cranes and carriers. The work can include roles in materials and waste management and roles in the oil, gas and petroleum industries. In some cases, the machinery and equipment used are driver-controlled. In others instances, the processes are computer controlled. Process plant operators have to set the controls and observe gauges and other instrumentation to monitor progress and check for malfunctions and faults. Many process plant operators are responsible for preparing and measuring the raw materials that are used in manufacturing and refining processes. What is an elementary process plant operative’s salary? Average salaries vary according to location, and from employer to employer. Rates of pay also vary depending on the type and size of machinery being used. Starting pay is usually in the region of £17,000 per year, rising to £30,000 with training and experience. Those with a particular specialism in operating very large or complex plant and machinery can command higher rates of pay, around £40,000. These figures are intended as a guideline only. What skills do I need? You need to be capable of following detailed written instructions and to enjoy practical and manual activities. Process plant operators need analytical skills and need to be good problem solvers who work well in a team. You’ll need good spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination to operate heavy machines with safety and accuracy. The work can be physically demanding so as with all site-work, a degree of fitness is advantageous. What qualifications do I need? You’ll almost always need a driving licence to start work. After which a Level 2 NVQ Certificate and Diploma in Plant Operations provides official recognition of the knowledge and skills needed to work in this field. In addition, the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) provides an industry registration card scheme for those involved in plant operations. Operator cards document recognized skills, competence and qualifications, with different codes covering different classes of machinery. Some of the most common classifications are listed below: Crawler crane CPCS Code A02 Tower crane CPCS Code A04 Ride on Road Roller CPCS Code A36 Excavator 360 degree tracked CPCS Code A59 Crane supervisor CPCS Code A62 Ride on Road Roller CPCS Code A31 Plant and Vehicle Marshaller CPCS Code A73 All process plant operators will need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on building sites. What are the hours and conditions? Process plant operators often work in hot, dusty and noisy conditions, with some exposure to hazardous fumes. Many work shifts, including nights and weekends, with associated opportunities for overtime pay. The work is potentially hazardous so strict adherence to safety procedures and regulations is essential. Process plant operators need to understand the full range of equipment and machinery employed for their particular operation. Many processes are controlled by automated computer systems, so you need to be comfortable using computers and electronic interfaces and instruments. Safety equipment such as overalls, hardhats, safety glasses, ear protection and safety boots is frequently essential. Career progression Elementary process plant operators can graduate on to larger and more sophisticated pieces of machinery with the right training, skills and experience. The NVQ Assessment and Verification Service is designed for plant operators who wish to move beyond a Level 2. Accreditation goes up to level 6 NVQ/SVQ in Specialised Plant and Machinery Operations. Those with a background in operating process plant can move into technical careers in maintenance and mechanics. Areas of specialism Process plant operators can achieve a high degree of specialism in operating a particular type of machinery, for instance, tower cranes or very heavy mechanical shovels, including dragline excavators for quarrying and open cast mining. To search for opportunities across the sector click here. Or, browse our dedicated HS2 and Hinkley Point C pages for more information. Read next Engineering New Perceptions TApp Jessica Tabinor August 13, 2018 Watch Now: Sale Sharks Chris Ashton, the Curry Brothers and Marland Yarde Exclusive Interview Jamal Niaz August 10, 2018 Suggested jobs Assistant Buyer 6 Months FTC Cheltenham, Gloucestershire £18000.00 - £21000 per annum IT Syste
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HS2 is committed to supporting and promoting technical and professional learning through the greater availability and take-up of apprenticeships during construction and operation. Overcoming the negative perceptions around apprenticeships, especially those at lower levels, was a key theme on the agenda at our roundtable event held at the National College High-Speed Rail (NCHSR’s) and one that most supply chain partners and education providers need greater support in overcoming. Apprenticeships are still dismissed and characterised as the ‘last resort’, which is preventing many young people from achieving their potential through this aspirational career route. Many of those around the table gave present-day examples of how their outstanding apprenticeship programmes were being dismissed by young people and their parents. This clearly shows that more needs to be done to improve the perceptions of apprenticeships and showcase how this pathway offers just as many advantages, if not more, as traditional education routes. Apprenticeships are a priority for HS2 as 50% of a contractor’s SEE targets must comprise apprentice recruitment as well as support for the NCHSR, workless job starts or work placements. THE SOLUTION Awareness campaigns targeted at successful behavioural change are needed. These campaigns need to engage media as well as key influencers such as teachers and parents. Engineering must be shown in the best light possible, positioning itself alongside other typically aspirational careers such as doctors, lawyers and accountants. According to IET’s research into what a ‘typical’ engineer looks like, more than 44% of schoolchildren believed they would wear a hard hat, 40% a hi-vis jacket, 67% said an engineer would be male and 51% said white. HS2 Ltd aims to inspire more young people to explore apprenticeships by presenting a new, modern image for the sector that’s user focussed, technology-driven and engineering led. If we are to successfully change the sector’s image then more must be done. Images of cutting edge technology, teamwork and creativity are far more appealing to young people and is the perception that we must work to collectively promote. Social media engagement campaigns and ‘gamification’ are other successful alternative strategies to target youngsters, mirroring the same successes from organisations that already adopt these approaches such as Sony, Samsung and Siemens. Gamification can lend itself to many different purposes, such as marketing and managing employee health, but is now increasingly used recruitment. Not only does gamification help to match candidates to roles but also is an aspirational engagement tool that can generate awareness of the training opportunities throughout HS2. Download our whitepaper to read more about the solutions that are needed if we are to achieve HS2’s vision of being a catalyst for growth across Britain. Or click here to find your opportunity on HS2.
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This week Sale Sharks hosted a media day at the AJ Bell stadium as they are days away from their first game ahead of the new season. The Sharks face Doncaster Jets tonight in a pre-season friendly and the team seemed to be in high spirits with new additions such as Chris Ashton adding more depth. Ashton discussed with Morson why he decided to make the move to Sale: “I’ve been away from home for a long time. I always hoped that I’d come and play for Sale at some point and when the opportunity came it was an easy decision.” The newly recalled England winger also reaffirmed how vital consistency is in the opening games: “Everybody wants to start well, it’s vitally important for this league and every team is fighting for the same outcome. Hopefully we’re on the right side of it” The Curry brothers also spoke to Morson about the upcoming season with Ben highlighting how much the team has improved since last year: “Last year at the start we were a new team. It takes time to gel especially with the likes of Faf with how he plays and you have to adapt your game to suit him. So we’ve grown compared to this time last year, we’re a completely different team” Tom Curry recently played for England against South Africa and went up against fellow Shark, Faf De Klerk. He shed light on what it’s like competing against a teammate at international level: “There’s nothing there, we had a few jokes about where he hit me and I was down for a bit holding my face” The launch of the new home and away kits for the 2018/19 season also proved to be a big talking point and winger, Marland Yarde offered his thoughts: “Obviously everybody gets excited each year for the new kit. It’s great, I’ve only recently joined so I’m still getting used to it but it’s a very nice kit” Sale Sharks will look to put in an impressive performance this evening ahead of their opening Premiership game of the season against Harlequins on September 1st. Morson will be following the team throughout the coming season and wish the team the best of luck!
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Ivy Man is part of a team of highly skilled software engineers dedicated to revolutionizing the flying experience of Emirates’ customers as part of a four-year development programme with the aviation giant. Based out of Thales US’ Irvine, CA base, the Emirates Project Design Authority is spearheading the Engineering team working on the Boeing 777X aircraft; one of the largest projects that it has ever worked on. Ivy explains: “I can’t really say too much about the project due to confidentiality reasons, but what I will say is that the work we’re doing will transform the passenger experience of flying with Emirates; not just inflight but every touchpoint that the customer has before they even climb on board to after they’ve landed.” As design authority for the programme, its Ivy’s responsibility to define the scope and definition for the deliverables and different solutions, interface with engineers and programmers on the technical teams as well as manage budgets, resource planning, scheduling and more. “We’re approaching a critical stage of development so I’m frequently on conference calls and in meetings liaising with key stakeholders around the globe to ensure we’re all working collaboratively towards common goals, activities and deadlines,” continues Ivy. “There isn’t room for a traditional working day on this project as the 11-hour time difference with Emirates’ Dubai HQ can see me on calls from 7 am through to 9 pm.” Having moved to the US from Hong Kong aged 18, Ivy studied Mathematics at Boise State University, ID, before completing her Masters in Computer Science at the University of Colorado. Ivy continues: “Looking back, it really was my dad who has really inspired me to reach where I am today. Our family was never rich but he worked hard so I could come to the US for my education, and a lot of the traits and attributes that I have today, I value to him and his guidance.” Having first worked as a software engineer throughout various roles, Ivy joined Thales in 2005 as a Principal Software Engineer. Her 13-year career with the company has seen her take on various roles and progress throughout the business to her current position as Project Design Authority. Ivy added: “When I first joined Thales I was working in a very small defined area of software. As my knowledge and experience has grown, I’ve gained more of an understanding of the larger components to see how everything fits together and take on more responsibility as a bigger picture thinker." “This project is one of the most challenging that we’ve ever worked on here at Thales and it’s great that my 13-year career has led me to here. I love the complexity of the programme; I’m not only exposed to new areas and opportunities to learn but the demands pushes us to the next level to test and implement new technology and features that have never done before." “Every decision that I’ve made has led me to where I am today. You never know what new things you and your team are going to create and develop to make tasks better and I love this variety and the unknown of what the future holds.” Morson International is the UK's No.1 Aerospace Recruiter, with hundreds of jobs in aviation click here to find your next opportunity.
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There is a high demand for electrical engineering jobs in the UK, thanks to a variety of projects planned around the country, as well as steady investment. Keep reading to find out more about the skills you’ll need and to find out if a career as an electrical engineer is the right fit for you. RATES £20-60k dependent on experience HOT SPOTS Hinkley Point C / HS2 QUALIFICATIONS NVQ, City & Guilds What do electrical engineering jobs involve? As an electrical engineer, you’ll be responsible for designing, developing, controlling and maintaining electrical systems, machinery and components. Your work will focus on ensuring a consistently high level of quality, safety and reliability across all systems and components. The electrical equipment you work with can be used across many sectors, giving you a good selection of different career routes. Your daily responsibilities will vary depending on your employer and industry, but can include creating project plans and circuit diagrams using computer software, designing systems and products, estimating costs and timeframes, testing installations, ensuring safety regulations are met, and more. What is an electrical engineer’s salary? Salaries can vary from employer to employer, as well as in different locations or sectors. However, you can expect to earn a starting salary of between £20,000 and £25,000 per year. As you progress through your career and gain more experience, this could increase to up to £40,000. More senior electrical engineers, especially those who have achieved chartered status, can earn up to £60,000 per year. These figures are intended as a guideline only. What skills do I need? In electrical engineering jobs, you’ll need to possess excellent maths, science and IT skills. You’ll need a keen eye for detail and the ability to create and understand complex, technical diagrams. It’s important that you have both commercial and technical knowledge, and an enthusiasm to keep your knowledge up-to-date. Planning, organisational and time management skills are also key, as is the ability to work confidently both on your own and as part of a team. What qualifications do I need? To become an electrical engineer, you’ll usually need to complete a foundation degree, HNC, HND or degree. While it is your best option to complete a degree in electrical or electronic engineering, entry may still be possible with other related engineering degrees, including: Aeronautical Engineering Building Services Engineering Communications Engineering Computing and Software Engineering Mechanical Engineering Production Engineering Physics and Applied Physics Some organisations will offer graduate trainee schemes, which can be a good route into the industry, although they are usually highly competitive. A postgraduate degree isn’t necessary to gain employment but can help with career progression, as can gaining incorporated or chartered engineer status. Finally, if you’re going to be spending time on a construction site, you may need to apply for a relevant Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. What are the hours and conditions? Electrical engineers usually work between 37 and 40 hours per week, although some overtime may be required to meet deadlines, as and when projects dictate. Some roles may offer flexible working arrangements, while others will fall more in line with the traditional Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. Depending on the employer and project, you could spend your days in a number of locations, such as an office, workshop, production plant, construction site or research facility. This means travel within your working day is a common occurrence. Career progression With the right training and experience, there are opportunities to progress in your career. Many people will choose to move into general management or project management roles, while others will opt to go into consultancy. Achieving chartered status and gaining membership to a relevant professional body are seen as essential steps in successful career progression. Areas of specialism There are a number of areas you can choose to specialise in, from power and renewable energy to transport and manufacturing. To search for opportunities across the sector click here. Or, browse our dedicated HS2 and Hinkley Point C pages for more information.
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