HS2’s Graduate Engineer Technical Training programme receives accreditation by IMechE

HS2 is committed to the ongoing learning and development of its people and professional development is a key part of that commitment, so we are delighted to announce that our Graduate Engineering programme has been recognised and fully accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

During HS2’s first accreditation assessment, the committee described the programme as ‘exemplary’, citing the high levels of support, structure and exposure to the full range of competencies during graduate placements and rotations.

HS2 Graduates were highlighted in the report as being ‘articulate, motivated and enthusiastic’ and their support and involvement throughout the process was invaluable in achieving the accreditation.

The news came at the same time as a key milestone for the IMechE as they marked their 175th anniversary. The Institution held their first ever meeting in 1847 at the Queen’s Hotel, Birmingham which once stood on the site of Curzon Street station.   Phil Peel, President of the IMechE presented a commemorative plaque to HS2 which will be on display within the new station – seen here with our Graduates, Chris Bryan, and members of the IMechE committee.

We caught up with Chris to find out more about the accreditation and what it means to him and the business:
 
What does the accreditation mean to HS2?  
Receiving official accreditation from IMechE is a demonstration that, as an organisation, we’re are focussed on the training and development of newly qualified Engineers and committed to helping them to progress onto their next level of qualification having completed their accredited degrees. Alongside Christina Wallace’s great work achieving the same status with the Institution of Civil Engineers, this now means that the Engineering Council recognises HS2 as a company capable of offering the necessary experience for the professional registration of both Civil and Mechanical Engineers. The next aim is to engage with the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) with more to follow…watch this space! 
 
And will this help us to attract engineers to join HS2?
Engineers that are looking to apply to HS2 now have the proof that, during their time with us, they’ll be able to get the support they need to help them on their way to Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered (CEng) status.  They will also join a community of likeminded individuals that recognise the importance of upholding standards to ensure quality in the delivery of Engineering projects

Accreditation with the IMechE gives every developing Engineer at HS2 access to the Monitored Professional Development System – this is a secure online portal that sculpts a pathway to Incorporated or Chartered status. The digital record means that it can remain with the Engineer as they move around the industry. It also means that people who started their journey with another organisation can retain the record of their experiences once they move to HS2.