East West Rail Company (EWR Co) is helping shape the future of ground engineering after offering some graduate engineers a rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience at a live infrastructure site.
Seventeen Early Career Professionals (ECPs) recently joined East West Rail’s Ground Investigation (GI) team for a day of immersive learning at Chapel Hill, near Haslingfield in Cambridgeshire.
Organised by EWR Investigation Supervisors Josh Dunlop and Sophie Stone-Wigg, the visit was a collaborative effort between Client, Contractor and Technical Partner teams, aimed at bridging the gap between design and delivery, offering participants a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in ground investigations.
Throughout the day, attendees were led by industry experts, gaining insights into various aspects of ground investigation. Highlights included a geology overview and core sampling demonstration, a walkthrough of piezometer installation (a device used to measure groundwater), a Q&A session with EWR Engineering Specialist Neil Esslemont and some safety briefings and inductions.
Participants also had the chance to engage with drillers, engineers, unexploded ordnance (UXO) specialists, and ecological clerks of works—gaining a holistic view of the roles involved in GI operations.
The visit was tailored for those with limited site experience and feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with all 17 attendees recommending the experience to their peers.
Neil Esslemont, Geotechnical Engineering Specialist, EWR Co, said: “The ground investigation for EWR is one of the largest GI projects in the UK at the moment, so we have an obligation to take any opportunities to use the project to help to drive the industry forward. Ground investigations are a critical part of delivering safe and sustainable infrastructure, and it’s vital that early career professionals understand the real-world challenges and opportunities they may face. This visit to Chapel Hill gave participants a unique chance to engage directly with the processes and people behind the work, and I was impressed by their enthusiasm and curiosity. It’s encouraging to see such talent emerging in the industry.”
Following the success of the Chapel Hill visit, East West Rail plans to expand the programme across future phases—reinforcing its commitment to nurturing emerging talent across its Technical Partner and UK office network.