11.03.13
Over 150 apprenticeships at tunnelling academy
Transport minister Stephen Hammond is visiting Crossrail’s Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy (TUCA) in east London today to mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week.
He will meet apprentices and see the Sprayed Concrete Lining equipment they are being trained on.
Crossrail aims to provide at least 400 apprenticeships through its supply chain over the lifetime of the project and more than 150 apprentices are now working on the project.
At the academy, more than 1,600 people have also taken training to earn their Tunnel Safety Card – an industry requirement for those working on Crossrail.
Hammond said: “Apprenticeships are at the heart of our drive to keep Britain at the forefront of civil engineering by training the next generation of experts and ensuring our workforce has the skills employers need.
“This is why, this year alone, Government is planning to invest £1.5bn in apprenticeships. Our increased investment in this area is already bearing fruit and we have seen the number of people starting apprenticeships increasing at a record rate under this Government.
“This academy is a shining example of how high quality apprenticeships are being delivered and it is playing a vital role in providing the skilled workers needed to deliver Crossrail and other major transport projects in the UK and beyond.”
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Image c. Crossrail Ltd