Record breaking year for BTS D&C course

The course covers all the major aspects of an underground project's life and contains worked examples and workshop sessions to allow improved interaction between delegates and speaker. It is aimed at the wide range of professional services that support the tunnelling industry, including clients, tunnel operators and members of the financial and insurance sectors that may have a vested interest in tunnelling enterprises, as well as young tunnel design and construction engineers.

The course is a good start for any young engineers or technicians who want to have a career in the tunnelling industry. However, this year a lot more senior people attended the course.

Will Howlett, graduate geotechnical engineer at Arup, said: "A lot of senior/experienced people attended from speaking to people on the course this appears to be because of Crossrail, Crossrail 2, HS2, Thames tunnel tideway all wanting tunnels. So companies are getting their workforce ready for the increase in tunnelling work in the future."

Howlett gave a presentation on the Friday to the delegates. Howlett talked about the BTSYM and how people can get involved. "It is important for the young engineers out there to get involved with their professional bodies. Getting involved with the BTSYM is a real way of helping to change the engineering world for the better. Some of the most interesting workshops in the country are free of charge and open to all young members. World technical leaders share their knowledge freely with the young members, which develops them as engineers and increases the knowledge base for the companies they work for."

In 2015, the BTS offered sponsorship for up to five university students or apprentices to attend the course. The sponsorship was open to all students not in full time employement and apprentices, looking for a career in tunnelling. A similar offer is expected to be available next year.

A feature covering this year's course in more detail will be printed later this year.