Engineering ApprenticeshipsEngineering ApprenticeshipsFor Modern Healthcare EstatesFor Modern Healthcare Estates

Chris JamesChris JamesEngineering Operations ManagerEngineering Operations Manager

Southampton University HospitalsSouthampton University Hospitals

43 Acres 208,000 m2 Floor Area

342,406 m3 Water £620k

33830658 KW/H £3.4M

70,291 Tons of Steam £1.7M

3336332 KW/H Gas £88k

Why NHS Apprenticeships?Why NHS Apprenticeships?

WHY NOTWHY NOT!!!!!! Healthcare Engineering is a unique service Industry Healthcare Engineering is a unique service Industry

which has constant demands and changing technology.which has constant demands and changing technology. Many of the required specialist skills are un-available Many of the required specialist skills are un-available

in the wider commercial market.in the wider commercial market. At SUHT, it has long be recognised the value of NHS At SUHT, it has long be recognised the value of NHS

trained personnel in complimenting imported and trained personnel in complimenting imported and existing workforce.existing workforce.

The Trust in its various guises has supported The Trust in its various guises has supported Engineering Apprenticeships for 35 years.Engineering Apprenticeships for 35 years.

The historical lack of investment in traditional The historical lack of investment in traditional apprenticeships coupled with an ageing workforce has apprenticeships coupled with an ageing workforce has now manifested itself and we are facing a critical now manifested itself and we are facing a critical period within the Estates function.period within the Estates function.

The use of agency labour is cost prohibitive, only The use of agency labour is cost prohibitive, only provides short-term respite and is primarily market provides short-term respite and is primarily market driven by quality labour availability.driven by quality labour availability.

We must act now to avoid a collapse of the Estate We must act now to avoid a collapse of the Estate Service at a national level.Service at a national level.

Percentage of Staff Due to Retire at Southampton Percentage of Staff Due to Retire at Southampton General Hospital Engineering Maintenance DepartmentGeneral Hospital Engineering Maintenance Department

By End of 2014 (5 Years)By End of 2014 (5 Years)

33% of current workforce will be 6533% of current workforce will be 65

By End of 2023 (14 Years)By End of 2023 (14 Years)

64% of current workforce will be 6564% of current workforce will be 65

The Importance of ApprenticeshipsThe Importance of Apprenticeships

The Provision of a competent and skilled workforce is The Provision of a competent and skilled workforce is essential in the delivery of value for money and safe essential in the delivery of value for money and safe buildings.buildings.

The potential risks associated with a lack of The potential risks associated with a lack of knowledge, skill and training can be easily recognisedknowledge, skill and training can be easily recognised

………………. . But often too late!!!But often too late!!!

The Maintenance Electrician

The Refrigeration Installer

The Streetlight Technician

Mechanic

As a result of DoH stimulus back in 2005 around As a result of DoH stimulus back in 2005 around training for the future needs.training for the future needs.

Several Trusts across Hampshire had a considered Several Trusts across Hampshire had a considered approach towards training young engineers to a approach towards training young engineers to a common recognised standard.common recognised standard.

The prime focus was to consider what each Trust The prime focus was to consider what each Trust needed and to guarantee that trainees graduated with needed and to guarantee that trainees graduated with those core skills.those core skills.

The result is that the cohort group is now in its third The result is that the cohort group is now in its third year with the first apprentices due to graduate in July year with the first apprentices due to graduate in July 2010.2010.

Consideration is now being given by the group to the Consideration is now being given by the group to the value of seconding apprentices to alternate NHS sites value of seconding apprentices to alternate NHS sites for skill enhancements.for skill enhancements.

Healthcare Engineering(Pleasure or Pain)Healthcare Engineering(Pleasure or Pain)A Personal ViewA Personal View

A Personal View…..A Personal View….. Left School 29 years ago to pursue a career in Mechanical Left School 29 years ago to pursue a career in Mechanical

EngineeringEngineering Secured a Mechanical Apprenticeship (assisted by SETA) Secured a Mechanical Apprenticeship (assisted by SETA)

with the Area Health Authority at Southampton General with the Area Health Authority at Southampton General HospitalHospital

Spent a year off the job basic training at SETA learning Spent a year off the job basic training at SETA learning key workshop skillskey workshop skills

Completed a further 3 years “in company” training Completed a further 3 years “in company” training coupled with day release to achieve BTEC National coupled with day release to achieve BTEC National Certificate in Plant EngineeringCertificate in Plant Engineering

A Personal View…..A Personal View…..

Qualified as a skilled tradesperson after 4 years but Qualified as a skilled tradesperson after 4 years but encouraged by company to continue day release and after encouraged by company to continue day release and after further 2 years obtained a BTEC Higher National further 2 years obtained a BTEC Higher National Certificate in Plant EngineeringCertificate in Plant Engineering

Promoted to Technician status within the organisationPromoted to Technician status within the organisation Promoted to Engineering Supervisor responsible for Promoted to Engineering Supervisor responsible for

budget/staff/managementbudget/staff/management Promoted to Engineering Officer responsible for day to Promoted to Engineering Officer responsible for day to

day engineering managementday engineering management

A Personal View…..A Personal View…..

Current position of Engineering Current position of Engineering Operations Manager directly responsible Operations Manager directly responsible for a £2.4 million budget, managing 45 for a £2.4 million budget, managing 45 staff including apprentices at one of the staff including apprentices at one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe. largest teaching hospitals in Europe.

Now in a position to make decisions Now in a position to make decisions affecting the future engineering of affecting the future engineering of Healthcare Buildings in Southampton Healthcare Buildings in Southampton and working closely with colleagues and working closely with colleagues nationally to raise the awareness and nationally to raise the awareness and importance of NHS Engineering as a importance of NHS Engineering as a career.career.

Thank YouThank You