Four Electrical Engineering Modern Apprentices (MAs) have transformed another Forth Valley College workroom into a state-of-the-art training facility.
Euan Dornan (18) from Saltcoats and Jordan Davies (25) from Dundee, who both work for Petrofac and Blair Ross (29) from East Kilbride and Marc D’Ambrosio (26) from Glasgow, who both work for Worley Parsons, utilised their FVC training days – under the guidance of Electrical Engineering lecturers David Hughes and Bob Moodie and Technician Donald McPhail - to hone their electrical skills and turn workshop 20W into a dedicated Frame Conveyor Workroom, at the Falkirk Campus from a bare shell into a training asset for themselves and future MAs.
The project follows on from last year when the neighbouring 22W was turned into a Motor control workroom by a group of six MAs.
The group of four - who have their MAs sponsored by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) – began the project by designing the infrastructure for the automated conveyor system. With this done, they then moved on to the build stage, installing the structure and connecting both the power and control circuits for the new system. Electrical equipment manufacturer Hensel and electrical wholesaler Rexel jointly donated specialist panels to house the electrical equipment.
Remarkably, the apprentices managed to complete the project in less than 60 hours of timetabled class time – quite a remarkable effort. The MAs put the finishing touches to the new facility on Monday 21 May and were congratulated by their lecturers who revealed a special plaque to mark the achievement.
Lecturer Bob Moodie, said: “Both David and I are very proud of the lads. They have done a great job and through this project their hand skills, knowledge and understanding has vastly improved.”
MA Euan, said: “It was an enjoyable project and has set us up for starting work.
MA Blair, added: “It has given us practical hand skills and underpinning knowledge to allow us to do our jobs offshore.”
For more information on the MA programme contact the Business Development Department on 01324 403068.