Engineering Apprenticeships For Modern Healthcare Estates Chris James Engineering Operations Manager Southampton University Hospitals

43 Acres208,000 m 2 Floor Area 342,406 m 3 Water £620k KW/H £3.4M 70,291 Tons of Steam £1.7M KW/H Gas £88k

Why NHS Apprenticeships? WHY NOT !!! Healthcare Engineering is a unique service Industry which has constant demands and changing technology. Healthcare Engineering is a unique service Industry which has constant demands and changing technology. Many of the required specialist skills are un-available in the wider commercial market. Many of the required specialist skills are un-available in the wider commercial market. At SUHT, it has long be recognised the value of NHS trained personnel in complimenting imported and existing workforce. At SUHT, it has long be recognised the value of NHS trained personnel in complimenting imported and existing workforce. The Trust in its various guises has supported Engineering Apprenticeships for 35 years. The Trust in its various guises has supported Engineering Apprenticeships for 35 years.

The historical lack of investment in traditional apprenticeships coupled with an ageing workforce has now manifested itself and we are facing a critical period within the Estates function. The historical lack of investment in traditional apprenticeships coupled with an ageing workforce has now manifested itself and we are facing a critical period within the Estates function. The use of agency labour is cost prohibitive, only provides short-term respite and is primarily market driven by quality labour availability. The use of agency labour is cost prohibitive, only provides short-term respite and is primarily market driven by quality labour availability. We must act now to avoid a collapse of the Estate Service at a national level. We must act now to avoid a collapse of the Estate Service at a national level.

Percentage of Staff Due to Retire at Southampton General Hospital Engineering Maintenance Department By End of 2014 (5 Years) 33% of current workforce will be 65 By End of 2023 (14 Years) 64% of current workforce will be 65

The Importance of Apprenticeships The Provision of a competent and skilled workforce is essential in the delivery of value for money and safe buildings. The Provision of a competent and skilled workforce is essential in the delivery of value for money and safe buildings. The potential risks associated with a lack of knowledge, skill and training can be easily recognised The potential risks associated with a lack of knowledge, 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 training for the future needs. As a result of DoH stimulus back in 2005 around training for the future needs. Several Trusts across Hampshire had a considered approach towards training young engineers to a common recognised standard. Several Trusts across Hampshire had a considered approach towards training young engineers to a common recognised standard. The prime focus was to consider what each Trust needed and to guarantee that trainees graduated with those core skills. The prime focus was to consider what each Trust needed and to guarantee that trainees graduated with those core skills. The result is that the cohort group is now in its third year with the first apprentices due to graduate in July The result is that the cohort group is now in its third year with the first apprentices due to graduate in July Consideration is now being given by the group to the value of seconding apprentices to alternate NHS sites for skill enhancements. Consideration is now being given by the group to the value of seconding apprentices to alternate NHS sites for skill enhancements.

Healthcare Engineering(Pleasure or Pain) A Personal View

A Personal View….. Left School 29 years ago to pursue a career in Mechanical Engineering Left School 29 years ago to pursue a career in Mechanical Engineering Secured a Mechanical Apprenticeship (assisted by SETA) with the Area Health Authority at Southampton General Hospital Secured a Mechanical Apprenticeship (assisted by SETA) with the Area Health Authority at Southampton General Hospital Spent a year off the job basic training at SETA learning key workshop skills Spent a year off the job basic training at SETA learning key workshop skills Completed a further 3 years “in company” training coupled with day release to achieve BTEC National Certificate in Plant Engineering Completed a further 3 years “in company” training coupled with day release to achieve BTEC National Certificate in Plant Engineering

A Personal View….. Qualified as a skilled tradesperson after 4 years but encouraged by company to continue day release and after further 2 years obtained a BTEC Higher National Certificate in Plant Engineering Qualified as a skilled tradesperson after 4 years but encouraged by company to continue day release and after further 2 years obtained a BTEC Higher National Certificate in Plant Engineering Promoted to Technician status within the organisation Promoted to Technician status within the organisation Promoted to Engineering Supervisor responsible for budget/staff/management Promoted to Engineering Supervisor responsible for budget/staff/management Promoted to Engineering Officer responsible for day to day engineering management Promoted to Engineering Officer responsible for day to day engineering management

A Personal View….. Current position of Engineering Operations Manager directly responsible for a £2.4 million budget, managing 45 staff including apprentices at one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe. Current position of Engineering Operations Manager directly responsible for a £2.4 million budget, managing 45 staff including apprentices at one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe. Now in a position to make decisions affecting the future engineering of Healthcare Buildings in Southampton and working closely with colleagues nationally to raise the awareness and importance of NHS Engineering as a career. Now in a position to make decisions affecting the future engineering of Healthcare Buildings in Southampton and working closely with colleagues nationally to raise the awareness and importance of NHS Engineering as a career.

Thank You