11 March 2015

Five Masters engineering students from Derby University have joined Costain on a 24-week work placement.

They are working with the MEICA (Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control and Automation) team that provides technical support to the CiM6 (Costain Integrated with MWH in AMP6) Severn Trent Water Framework. All five are studying for an MSc in Innovative Engineering Solutions.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for us,” said Stephan van Brummelen, Framework MEICA and Commissioning Manager, Costain. “The placements help us to bring on board new talent with new skills and new thinking, and fit in well with our business wide strategy of providing total engineering solutions to our clients. The students get the benefit of a work placement, and we get the chance to see how they work with us. First impressions are good: they’re all embracing the challenge and offer possibilities for us as a business.”

Each student has been assigned a project to work on during the placement. “The projects cover areas such as 3D design, manufacturing, BIM (Building Information Modelling), data analysis and software,” said Stephan. “These subjects are good from both a business point-of-view and an educational point-of-view, and will enable the students to leave a legacy beyond their placement. And if all goes well, we may ask the students to join us so they can continue with their work.”

The students will spend three days a week with the MEICA team, based at MEICA’s Warwick head office and also at its three hub offices around the Severn Trent Water region.

The placement began with a visit to Severn Trent Water’s Finham waste water treatment works and Strensham water treatment works. The Finham tour, led by Ed Preston, Service Delivery and Planning Manager for Severn Trent Water, gave the students a real insight into wastewater processes and the collaborative nature of the Severn Trent Water framework.

They all found the visits very useful. Said Francescha Babbington: “Having experience in the construction industry, it was great to see how other sites work. All the engineers and site agents were very accommodating and helpful with any questions we had, and gave us a lot of information about the different processes involved.”

James Trappett gained “a firm understanding of how the system operates as a whole. I had no idea about the strict regulations that must be adhered to, and the constantly changing targets to achieve better results.”

For Laura Keetley, the visits provided a hands-on experience that highlighted how their projects relate to current operations. “And it was interesting to meet other graduates of different disciplines and find out how their knowledge was applicable to working for Costain, and the variety of projects we are undertaking."

Said Derby University’s John Thorley, Programme Leader – Professional Engineer: “Costain has been a great inspiration to the University in the way it has embraced opportunities to collaborate giving mutual benefits. Costain’s engagement with our programme has given our students valued experience within an exciting industry that will develop their employability skills for the future. I very much look forward to strengthening this relationship as it demonstrates the huge impact that can be made by working together.”

 

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