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filling the talent void

keeping the energy industry at the
forefront of innovation and ensuring a
diverse talent pool.
“We are working to scale the
development of these students to
align with the needs of the natural gas
industry,” said Graeme Cleeton, VP of
Operations at ULC Robotics. “Should
our demand increase significantly,
as a group we will have a large talent
pool of qualified engineers from
which to recruit.”
The three companies are providing
engineering students with the
opportunity to gain hands-on
experience with a non-traditional
approach to a common issue – using
robotic technology to repair critical gas
mains across London and the UK. The
projects are part of an effort by Cadent
and SGN to strengthen their natural gas
networks using ULC Robotics’ Cast Iron
Joint Sealing Robot (CISBOT). CISBOT THE CISBOT IS REPAIRING CRITICAL MAINS ACROSS THE UK
works within live gas mains to seal
ageing joints, extending their lifetime engineering apprentice myself, I cannot Operations Sam Wilson started as a
by 50 years. Using CISBOT requires far stress enough the immediate value graduate engineer with us in SGN and
fewer and much smaller excavations apprentices can add to the workforce was instrumental to the introduction of
than traditional mains rehabilitation and we are very proud of this first robotics at our company.”
methods, and significantly reduces cohort for embracing the opportunity.” Many of the student participants
disruption to the public. The partnership with Middlesbrough have undertaken courses within
The programme’s focus on the use College and others like it demonstrate Middlesbrough College to work toward
of robotics for streetworks, the likes Cadent, SGN, and ULC Robotics’ finishing a two-year mechatronics
of which will continue to expand as commitment to developing a programme.
utilities adapt to new technologies, is sustainable workforce and enables During their time on-site, the
incredibly valuable to the industry. students to access a variety of career apprentices have been working to
Cadent, which offers its own Field paths beyond the traditional academic develop a deep understanding of the
Force Apprenticeship Programmes, one. The students are gaining a job and working to support the CISBOT
has also supported the ULC Robotics firsthand look into gas operations crews. Each student has been assigned
apprenticeship scheme by facilitating and operator qualifications under the a mentor, either a CISBOT technician
placements on projects. guidance of industry experts. or crew lead, to guide them on a variety
James Harrison, Cadent’s Director of tasks based on their interests and
of London Network, said: “We’re keen individual strength.
to support initiatives to encourage The apprentices have been Upon completing coursework and
the next generation of engineers and working to develop a deep graduating, students will have the
the importance of this particular understanding of the job and opportunity to join ULC Robotics
work placement scheme should not to begin their career. The hands-on
be underestimated. We are giving working to support the CISBOT experience and training received
young engineering students first- crews. Each student has been through the apprenticeship program
hand experience of working robots, a assigned a mentor, either a prepares students to begin careers with
technology that’s likely to play an ever- ULC to help support growing robotics
increasing role in engineering projects.” CISBOT technician or crew lead, programmes, which in turn will benefit
A group of nine promising to guide them on a variety of the gas industry and companies such as
Middlesbrough College students tasks based on their interests SGN and Cadent.
was selected from 600 applicants for and individual strength Gas networks, industry contractors
placement, which forms part of their and companies such as ULC Robotics
Level 3 Mechatronics Maintenance continue to collaborate on programs
Technician Standard. “In the past, students may have such as the two mentioned above to
Paddy Oakes, Associate Director felt gas networks were not able to bring new, qualified and skilled talent
of Engineering at Middlesbrough offer exciting enough careers,” said to the industry.
College, said: “We are extremely Neil Snell, SGN’s Head of Technical
excited to be working in partnership Learning. “However, highly innovative The following people contributed to this
with ULC Robotics and the utility technologies like CISBOT, as well as our article: Amanda Cronin, Nathan King and
sector to train young engineers in industry’s move towards a low carbon David McLeod, from ULC Robotics; Antony
innovative technology and to address network, is helping attract both male Quarrell, from Cadent; Denis Kerby, from
the need for retaining engineers and female students into our industry. SGN; Karen Carroll, from CTP and Paddy
working in the sector. As a former Indeed, ULC’s current Director of UK Oakes, from Middlesbrough College.

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