Home > News > May 2005 > 11-May-2005

Advanced Apprentices start work on Heathrow's Terminal 5

Fourteen young Londoners have just started Advanced Apprenticeship training as electricians and mechanical engineers at Heathrow's Terminal 5, one of Europe's largest construction projects.

As Terminal 5 moves away from civil engineering into the installation of building services, BAA Heathrow and London West Learning and Skills Council (LSC) are working together through the Heathrow Employment Forum to help ensure that local people benefit from the job opportunities presented by the next phase in construction.

BAA, through its construction suppliers, Amec, Crown House Technologies and the union Amicus is now mobilising mechanical and electrical engineers to begin the initial fit out. These include the 14 Advanced Apprentices.

The Apprentices have already completed Level 2 Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at Acton and West London College and are now embarking on the JTL managed Advanced Apprenticeship scheme, designed to help them develop practical on-the-job experience.

Acton and West London College is delivering the theoretical side of the Advanced Apprenticeship, while London West LSC funds the training.

JTL provides training to the building services engineering sector and offers Advanced Apprenticeships in electrical installation and plumbing and mechanical engineering services leading to a NVQ Level 3 qualification.

Andrew Wolstenholme, Terminal 5 project director, said: "Investment in construction training has been neglected in previous years, an issue we've worked hard to redress with Terminal 5.

"Since launching the local labour strategy nearly three years ago we've put a great deal of effort into creating an education and training framework to help youngsters and local people gain the skills and qualifications required for a career in construction. I'm delighted these trainees are getting on the job training here as you couldn't get a more exciting construction environment to learn in than T5."

Peter Pledger, Executive Director of London West LSC said: "Our aim is to create a world-class workforce. Apprenticeships provide on-the-job training, leading to nationally recognised qualifications. These young people pursuing Advanced Apprenticeships here at Terminal 5 have the opportunity to be part of, and contribute to, one of the most exciting construction projects in Europe, which will equip them well for their future.

"The benefits of Apprenticeships to employers cannot be overestimated - they have better trained employees with the right skills who can be the managers of the future. Importantly, much Apprenticeship training is funded by the LSC."

Set to open in 2008, Terminal 5 is a £4.2bn development designed to provide Heathrow Airport with the capacity to handle an additional 30 million passengers annually.

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