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Apprentices who have selected the Engineering Pathway were hosted by structural engineering consultancy Healey Consulting, a longstanding design partner of Russell WBHO which has provided support for projects such as Lineage Logistics, Vulcan Mill, Joy Global, Motel One Cross Street and multiple bid support.

Based in Milnrow Rochdale, Healey Consulting provides engineering solutions for commercial, industrial and residential projects. The team was keen to welcome the students for a visit and provided a broad overview of the challenges and solutions they provide for clients.

Owner and founder Paul Healey addressed the students himself with an entertaining and informative presentation.

Harry Warburton, an assistant site engineer who is in his final year of the Building Student programme, organised the visit. He said: “Paul covered a range of topics from ground remediation and retaining structures through to frame design, both steel and in-situ concrete, to provide the building students with a broader understanding of different structural engineering elements.

“He also talked about the role of the structural engineer and designer, sharing some really useful insights. And we had a discussion around the implementation of BIM technologies during the design phases, as this a topic recently covered by the trainees during their university lectures. Paul was also kind enough to share his degree notes from his time at university for the students to use as reference material in the future.”

The students have also had the benefit of learning from colleagues at sister company Russell Homes during a site visit to the new Littleborough development Stubley Meadows.

There the students heard from Russell Homes’ engineering manager Andy Docksey and specialist Paul Smollett whose firm Franki Foundations provided the piled foundations at Stubley Meadows.

Harry continued:  “The students enjoyed a tour of the site and a presentation focusing on the foundation design and solutions implemented on the project. Andy focused on the in-situ concrete solutions whilst Paul Smollett from Franki Foundations delivered a presentation on the piled foundations implemented on the site.

“During the site tour the students were able to witness foundations at three stages of construction giving them an understanding of the process and sequence of the works.

Seeing the process in action is an invaluable part of their learning and will significantly improve their understanding for their university studies .”

The Russell WBHO Building Student programme is a five-year training scheme incorporating a fully-funded degree with the University of Salford with on-the-job experience. Students undertake rotations through all departments in their first two years before selecting a  specialism for Years 3 to 5.

Applications to the programme are due to open in October 2022. To find out more visit the training page here.

Reinforced concrete raft with prefabricated steel beam and perimeter shutters ready for concrete pour

Completed block and beam foundation with damp proof membrane and insulation ready for frame installation

The final result, two Russell Homes show houses at Stubley Meadows in Littleborough