The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) has appointed three new Regional Chairs to help drive skills forward in the industry.
Stewart Maxwell of Aquaterra Energy is now the Regional Chair for the East of England, Tom Ventre of Laker Vent Engineering for North West England and Seán McKirdy of RB Plant for the South and EDP companies.
EDP companies – Engineering, Design and Procurement (EDP) – are those whose head office is in the UK but who don’t employ site-based staff.
This follows on from the ECITB announcing new Regional Chairs for Wales and the Midlands earlier this year with the appointments of Altrad Learning and Competence Manager Mark Poole and NIRAS Lorien Engineering Solutions UK Managing Director Phil Colquhoun respectively.
Regional Chairs ensure the needs of employers in that region are represented in decisions around skills and workforce development programmes and enable the ECITB to forge closer connections to engineering construction businesses in those regions.
ECITB Chief Executive Andrew Hockey said: “I am delighted to welcome these three industry leaders as both members of the ECITB Council and Regional Chairs.
“Their experience and passion will be a massive asset to drive forward the skills agenda in these regions, building better connections with client and contractor companies across the regions and being part of the solutions to overcome skills gaps.”
Passionate new faces driving skills in the regions
Stewart Maxwell has had a long and successful career within the global oil and gas industry, holding positions in Asia Pacific and the UK. He joined Norwich-based Aquaterra Energy in 2013 as Technical Director and his remit includes developing the next generation of engineers.
He said: “We need to enhance and develop trade-level skills across the East region and widen the funnel to get people from all backgrounds into the industry.
“I want to engage with employers across the region to better understand their needs and forge that closer collaboration.”
Tom Ventre, Managing Director of Laker Vent Engineering, is following in his father’s footsteps, having taken over the position of North West Regional Chair from his father, Paul, who held the post for seven years.
Tom said: “The priority must be to both increase the labour pool and ensure we retain workers. We need to look at upskilling and encourage workers to stay in the industry. Show them that there are huge opportunities in this region.
“Regional Chairs are tasked with bringing industry together to resolve the hurdles we face now and on the horizon. I am passionate to be involved and be part of the solution.”
Seán has over 20 years’ industry experience working in various roles, including project management. He started his career in 2003 as an apprentice, joining joined RB Plant Construction in 2017 and is now Mechanical Engineering Director.
Seán takes over as Regional Chair of the merged South/EDP region from Gerald Mulvany of Bechtel Energy (South) and Steve Blackman from Schlumberger (EDP).
He said: “We need stronger engagement across the industry to showcase engineering as an exciting and rewarding career option – and this effort must begin at an earlier age.
“To achieve this, it is crucial to embed engineering and technology within the school curriculum. At present, too many schools lack these opportunities, limiting young people’s awareness of the potential career paths available to them.”
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