A group of New College students have been given an opportunity to work with Engineering industry professionals Network Rail and Mott McDonald, with the aim of creating a solution to one of the country’s greatest challenges as part a scheme known as ‘Fast Trackers’. It offered a unique chance for the students to work collaboratively with experts from the sector throughout the programme, working on tasks designed to demonstrate a variety of competencies aligned with the objectives of the Engineering Industrial Cadets Silver Award.
The first stage of the project was held at the University of Huddersfield, where the students were presented with details about the project and an insight into the engineering industry. Following on from this, the students visited Leeds City Railway Station for the second stage, where the Project Manager of the redevelopment of the station presented the plans and gave a tour of the site. After this, the final stage at Bradford University was when students worked up collaborative designs, with assistance from Network Rail and Mott MacDonald staff, and presented their ideas.
A team of 8 students were tasked with creating a combined design for the new Euston Station complex in London and the new high-speed rail link from Euston to Birmingham. Following the creation of this, the concepts were then presented to a select group of industry professionals. The teams were split into two smaller equal sized groups, one assigned to the station design and the other tasked with structuring the high-speed rail link. However, it remained essential for the two groups to liaise throughout to produce a quality overall pitch.
Jane Rolfe, the Higher Education Progression Officer for Go Higher West Yorkshire, said ‘Congratulations to our students who produced incredible designs, presented their ideas professionally as a team, and have taken away some very useful skills and life experiences. They are wonderful ambassadors for New College, so well done!’.
