Amey and United Utilities Benefit from Engineering Internship
Amey, based in Oxford, is a public services provider, managing and supporting the UK's vital infrastructure and public services. The company works in an alliance partnership with United Utilities to provide emergency response to any United Utilities' customer issues in relation to the wastewater sewer network.
The challenge
The company needed to research with jetting hose manufacturers to identify possible causes of current jetting hose failure rates, but lacked resources and expertise in house. They were interested in what factors affected the bursting point of jet hoses, such as use as inappropriate use, weak spots, variable flows. This information could help improve the monitoring and management of jet hoses.
Skills sought
- Motivated and able to work independently
- Experience of handling data
- Ability to summarise and synthesise data and produce reports
The solution
Christopher Hall, Engineering, was recruited through the Science and Technology Internship Programme for a twelve-week internship with Amey. Christopher completed research into high failure rates, met with jetting hose manufacturers, suppliers, and company operational teams, and completed a summary report for the company which included recommendations for future development on how to reduce the number of jet hose bursts occurring.
Cost
The three-month placement was funded by Amey at £1,100 + VAT per month, a total of £3,960.
Impact
The research looking into the issue of burst jetting hoses has led to robust best practice solutions now being implemented daily across a large number of jetting units working on the public sewers in the north-west of England. This solution has reduced the number of bursts occurring, safeguarding of both staff and members of the public.
Benefits
- Allow the company to lead development in this sector
- Reduced the risks to employees of the company and members of the public
- Reduced the number of bursts occurring
Company feedback
"Our experience gained following the internship process has been excellent from start to finish with Christopher Hall and our client United Utilities.
"The internship process helps companies like ours to focus on individual specific tasks to bring resolution to a particular problem, allowing the intern a chance to see how a fast-paced business meets demand on various levels, giving valuable insights into structures, management meetings and multiple policies, i.e. health and safety.
"On a personal level, it's been great to engage with Lancaster University and work with such talent, to see the capacity of a different set of eyes looking over a problem, with the result being a source of information we can use across the businesses now and in the future. We wish Christopher all the best going forward."
Zak Haworth, Account Manager, Amey
Customer feedback
"Christopher showed great enthusiasm and energy towards taking on for him what was initially an alien work area. He showed excellent communication skills and worked well with a diverse range of employees, all of whom commented what a nice guy Christopher was. I think his final report has provided us with some excellent 'best practice' suggestions which we are in the process of implementing across our North West fleet. These best practice recommendations will and have already begun to reduce our burst incidents and the risks to both employees and members of the public in the future."
Nicholas Walls, Reactive Resolution Manager, United Utilities
Intern feedback
"It was a brilliant opportunity to work with Amey on this internship. I was given a chance to practically apply the skills gained in my degree on a real-world challenge, and the experience has made a real difference when applying for jobs after I graduate."
Christopher Hall, Engineering