TIPS - Crossrail placement

Mark McGowran

• Teacher Industrial Partner Scheme - through National Science Learning Centre

• Connects companies and teachers together• Expand the knowledge of engineering and

technology careers for teachers• Share with students - improve entry

numbers into industry• Dozens of companies in Engineering

participating

What is TIPS

My reason for participating

•Develop interest in STEM subjects from KS3 onwards

• Increase uptake in subjects (particularly Physics) at A-Level

•Support students interested in Engineering as a field of study/work

How would I achieve this?•Offer students guidance on engineering industry•Promote all pathways available•Develop links within industry -

•Work placements for students•School visits - talks from inspirational speakers

•Workshops•Trips

Overview•2 week placement • Insight into all aspects of Crossrail project

•Sessions included:•Young Crossrail•Diversity •Sustainability & Legacy• IT•Community External Relations

•Archaeology•Urban Integration•TUCA•LT Museum (TfL)•Site Visits

Preconceptions

• Europe’s larges infrastructure projectLinking East (Essex) to the West (Reading) through the centre of London

£14.8 Billion budget - currently on time and in budget!

Crossrail project oversees all workHundreds of contractors and sub contractors carry out work

What is Crossrail

• Excavation• Structural• Electrical• Mechanical

• Transport• Fire• Materials• Security

Questions

The Scale of the Dig

Platform Length ~ 200m

More than just Engineering

Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy

•Legacy projectPurpose-built training facility Supporting key skills needed for tunnel excavation, underground construction and infrastructure

Meet skills demand for upcoming projects - Thameslink, Thames Tide, HS2 & Crossrail 2

After completion of CrossrailIndependently run organisationProvide accredited trainingOnly soft-ground tunnelling training facility in Europe

Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy

My Experience

• Scale Departments involvedOpportunitiesSupport - Professional DevelopmentApprenticeships and Graduate schemeCommunity outreachSchools ProgramLegacy initiativesDiversity in the industry

What I learned

•Knowledge of engineering rolesGeneral careers guidance - what employers are looking for

Routes into EngineeringApprenticeships V University

Network of STEM ambassadorsCompany links - educational visits, work experienceCurriculum relevant resources to inspire in and out of the classroom

Ideas for cross curricular links between subjects

What I can bring back

Reflection• Incredible opportunity

• Improved understanding of Engineering and roles of Engineers

• Accessibility of industry

• Insight into operation of a very large company

• Excited to share experience - Inspire students

Questions