Heysham power station apprentices are on the right track

Power station apprentices have helped to keep a local heritage attraction on track while developing the practical engineering skills that will support the next stage of their careers.

The group from the Heysham power stations spent two weeks at Cinderbarrow Miniature Railway, near Carnforth, applying the skills acquired during their first year at college to a real-life project that will give back to the local community.

The project formed part of EDF's four-year apprenticeship programme, which sees the trainees spend their first two years at Bridgwater & Taunton College developing the technical knowledge and practical skills needed for a career in the nuclear industry. After college, apprentices then spend time at EDF's nuclear sites, putting their learning into practice in an operational workplace setting.

This year, instead of completing traditional hand and tool skills training at the college, the Heysham stations partnered with Cinderbarrow Miniature Railway, a volunteer-run registered charity, to create an opportunity that would benefit both the first-year apprentices and the local community.

Anthony Livingstone, Heysham 1 training instructor, who proposed the partnership, said:

We wanted to try something new, and it has gone really well. It’s allowed the apprentices to utilise their practical skills and enhance their learning, preparing them for their time on site in the summer, and in the future.

Working in specialist electrical, mechanical and control and instrumentation (C&I) teams, the apprentices have contributed to a range of improvement projects across the railway while gaining valuable practical experience with the tools, equipment and techniques they are likely to use throughout their engineering careers.

Their work included constructing a new raised five-inch track circuit, updating electronic signalling systems, replacing point pneumatics and solenoids, routing and connecting new signalling cables, refurbishing sections of track, and helping to build a new EDF-branded five-inch gauge Class 25 locomotive to operate on the track.

Mark Brown, Chairman at Cinderbarrow Miniature Railway, said: 

These apprentices have been absolutely exemplary. They've worked incredibly hard during what has probably been the hottest two weeks of the year, not letting the weather dent their enthusiasm or commitment to getting the job done.

What they've achieved in just 14 days would normally take our volunteers many months to complete. Their attitude, teamwork and willingness to get stuck in have been outstanding, and they're a real credit to EDF.

The locomotive they've helped build, aptly named the Apprentice Express, will be a lasting reminder of their hard work and the positive impact they've had on the railway.

The apprentices had the chance to work on the project from start to finish, gaining experience in construction, installation, maintenance and testing activities while contributing to the development of a local attraction, which provides enjoyment for hundreds of patrons each year.

Cinderbarrow Miniature Railway is open to visitors on Sundays and Bank Holidays from April to October, giving families and railway enthusiasts the chance to see many of the improvements made during the project.

The collaboration culminated with a special presentation event at Cinderbarrow Miniature Railway, where the apprentices arrived in style aboard the completed locomotive and gave an overview of the work they had carried out during the placement.

Cole Harvey, first-year C&I apprentice at Heysham 1, said: 

It's been great to get real-world experience as engineering is all about problem solving, and during the project we've had to work together to overcome challenges, fault find issues and come up with practical solutions.

"Seeing the finished result and knowing we've helped improve a local attraction has made all the hard work worthwhile and I’m proud that my name is now signed on the miniature train I helped build, forever.

The apprentices will now spend the next six weeks embedded within maintenance departments at the Heysham sites, working alongside experienced EDF colleagues to gain first-hand experience of station operations before returning to college for year two of their training.

Following the success of this project, EDF hopes to build on the partnership in future years, giving apprentices further opportunities to develop practical engineering skills through meaningful community-based projects. 

Heysham Apprentice Co-ordinators, Justin Woodhouse and Lottie Horner, said: 

This was a fantastic experience for our apprentices, giving them real hands-on experience and allowing them to use the skills that they’ve learned in their first year in a productive manner. It’s also great that we as EDF can give back to our local community.

EDF welcomes hearing from local charities, schools, community groups and other organisations that could benefit from apprentices supporting a similar project. Any organisation interested in exploring a future partnership is encouraged to get in touch by emailing heyshamcommunity@edf-energy.com