On Wednesday, November 13th, all of our KISL graduates attended a day at the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) site in Manchester to experience a day in the life of an employee working on an electrification project on the Manchester rail track.
Led by Jake Berry, Program Director, the day was all about hands-on learning and collaboration, centred around the TRU project. This major infrastructure project aims to revolutionise transport across the region, and we are thrilled to play a pivotal role in its delivery.
We kicked off with an introduction from our team leaders, each guiding their own specialised task to provide a unique learning experience:
Task 1: Design & Assembly with Jonathan Cooke, OLE Engineer
Delegates dove into design modifications for on-site geometries before assembling a Bonomi Cantilever by hand. This hands-on task demonstrated the thoughtful planning and physical effort required to install heavy equipment effectively and safely.
Task 2: Planning & Integration with Connor Smith, Senior Construction Manager
In this task, delegates each took on a role within a single-discipline team to plan and execute a blockade. As they navigated changing constraints, they gained a firsthand understanding of collaborative delivery and learned how to leverage each other’s strengths to achieve a common goal.
Task 3: Safety Tour with Andy Cullen, Lead HSQE Manager
Andy guided a safety tour of our Grimshaw facilities, where delegates identified potential hazards and brainstormed mitigation strategies. This activity highlighted the critical importance of safety in maintaining a secure, productive environment on-site.
Today’s activities provided a valuable glimpse into the skills, safety considerations, and collaborative spirit that drive successful project delivery. Explore more of our work in early careers by pressing the button below.