The Royal School of Military Engineering (RSME) Chatham has the responsibility of providing training for the Army’s future engineers. Through a partnership with Greenwich University, Holdfast and Mid Kent College, the Professional Engineering Wing (PEW) of the RSME provides the training and exposure to students of the Clerk of Works Electrical courses. The course offers a Foundation Degree in Electrical Engineering Management with modules aimed at Electrical Installation design, Facilities Management, Contract Management and Project Management.
The Clerk of Work Electrical course is a 2 year full time tertiary level course which couples the modules set out by Greenwich University with key military course required by a military Senior Non Commissioned Officer (SNCO). To be considered for the course, students must show the requisite skills and experience in related trades such as Electricians or Electrical and Mechanical Draughtsman. Potential students must have a zest for learning, show the potential to be SNCO and have gained some experience in Command, Leadership and Management in previous roles within the Corp of Royal Engineers.
The core focus of the course is the academic qualification with student encouraged to undertake Continuous Professional Development (CPD) through mentoring junior courses, conducting various site visits and attending Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) events. The continuous professional and personal development of students is promoted by encouraging students to become professionally registered through mapping their experience while on course and any industrial attachment to the UK- SPEC in preparation of IEng and CEng Registration. The professional registration displays students commitment to the being a professional engineer.
Students are exposed to industry standards through a 6 week attachment at various engineering companies’ across the United Kingdom. The attachment provides students with the ability to consolidate the lessons covered on the course while gaining valuable work experience and exposure to the industry standards. Students are able to forge working relationships and conduct networking activities.
Figure 1. Student on industry attachment in discussion with visiting lecturer.
The attachment exposes students to facilities and project management, contract and commercial management, Safe Systems of Work among other activities imperative to becoming an all-round engineer. Students are required to apply problem solving skills to real life engineering issues that are complex and costly in nature.
In line with the course requirement and in preparation for their new assignment, students embark on a four week exercise with simulated scenarios requiring engineering solutions that sees them applying the skills and lessons they have learned and acquired over the last 2 years. The event is a conduit for students to work with different disciplines collectively or as an individual. Students have to rely on their ability to source the required information and hence it is imperative that proper preparation is carried out by all students to ensure self-sufficiency.
Figure 2. Student conducting soil resistivity in preparation of siting Field Power Station.
The course is demanding, time consuming and most times stretches individuals beyond their comfort zone. However, it is well worth the qualification (Foundation Degree Electrical Engineering) and the various employment opportunities throughout the Corps of Royal Engineers and the wider engineering world after a career in the military has ended.
Sgt Bowes
Clerk of Works Electrical Course 62