EKC Group teams up with Southeastern to get young engineers’ careers on track 

East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) has teamed up with Southeastern to support the next generation of engineers.  

Following the success of Southeastern’s partnership with EKC Training, an apprenticeship training provider which is part of EKC Group, to provide Engineering Apprenticeships, the rail operator has now partnered with EKC Canterbury College, which also forms part of EKC Group, to provide work experience placements for T Level Engineering students. 

These opportunities give learners a chance to get hands-on with the realities of working on the railway.  

As the leading rail operator in Kent, Southeastern is uniquely placed to provide opportunities for budding engineers to work and learn across their network. 

“Our future is dependent upon capable and enthusiastic engineers coming into the business,” says Andy Philpott, who is the Technical Production Manager at Southeastern’s Ramsgate Depot. 

“Aside from our Apprenticeship program, the T Levels enable us to give work experience alongside EKC Group for the academic side so that students are prepared and ready to come into the workplace. 

“The partnership with EKC Group gives us the ability to spot future talent that would be a great addition to our workforce. 

“I believe that as a large employer in East Kent, we have a moral duty to work with the community to help mold and develop the future engineers, even if we give them the skills that will take their careers elsewhere.” 

To ensure the placements go to the most deserving candidates, Andy teamed up with Tony Ballard, who is an Industry Liaison Officer at EKC Canterbury College, to mastermind a recruitment day at the depot exclusively for the students. 

Tony said: “Andy is so education-minded, and he has worked tirelessly to get this opportunity going for our learners. His forward thinking has been paramount in making this happen. 

“Southeastern is a company where people tend to work for the majority of their career, and the students were always asking about doing some work experience there, so I made it a mission to work with them.  

“It’s been such an amazing opportunity for the students.” 

As part of the partnership, staff at Southeastern also had a chance to learn some new skills too. 

Andy explained: “Tony has enabled some of my staff to undertake mentoring training with EKC Group so that the students will have a ‘friendly face’ when on depot, as I am sure it is quite daunting for them to come into our depot.” 

The recruitment day entailed the learners visiting the depot and taking part in an interview, a number of activities to test engineering and electrical knowledge, problem solving skills, communication skills and teamwork, and a depot tour to give them a chance to experience the environment they’d be working in.

Work experience and visits such as this are vital in supporting the development of learners’ skills.  

Afzal Channa is a lecturer in Engineering at EKC Canterbury College and said: “Work experience helps learners connect their classroom learning with real practical work.  

“They can see how the workplace works, improve their confidence, and understand what companies expect of them.” 

Following the visit, four students have been successful in gaining a work placement with the rail operator, and are excited to get started. 

Andy added: “I have been really impressed by the standard and positive attitude of the students who came for the selection day and am excited to be able to give the four successful students the engineering exposure at our depot.  

“This is the first time we have reached out regarding the T Levels and hopefully we not only find some new talent, but can work further with EKC Group over the coming years to develop this as an ongoing successful partnership.”