Managing director, Andrew Cotton, has been working closely with the Degree Apprenticeship team at University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN), to help enrich the graduate apprenticeship programme and give more young people an appreciation of how they can work at the cutting-edge of infrastructure improvement and creation, while also acquiring a degree.

Some of the leading UK sheet piling specialist's young employees are already part of the scheme and are engaged in challenging and exciting projects, while not in the study room.

Cotton was most recently part of a full-day event at UCLAN, where he was a keynote speaker and Q&A panellist speaking alongside others from the world of industry and commerce, including Manoj Vadher (Royal Mail) and Edwina Grant (Lancashire County Council).

Meanwhile, Jim Kampta, Sheet Piling UK's lifting manager, has taken the world of civil engineering into Thornleigh College in Bolton, where students on design technology and BTEC construction courses have been able to find out more about the world of sheet piling and civil engineers.

Kampta was able to talk through not just the process of sheet pile installation and extraction, and civil engineering and what it entails in general, but also provide a focus on the health and safety considerations required for every project.

Cotton said: "We see it as a vital part of our role as the UK's leading sheet pile specialist, to act as an ambassador for the sheet piling industry. A big part of that is ensuring we have keen and dedicated young people coming through and wanting to pursue careers in sheet piling.

"Planting the seed of a sheet pile-focused job starts by engaging with the schools and college network and speaking directly to those who might find the career appealing but have little or no information about how to go about getting involved. We are delighted to be able to potentially provide the sparks that could enrich the sheet piling sector with committed new talent."

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