Industry Expert is appointed to Head of Engineering at Riverside College

Construction, engineering and motor vehicle students at Riverside College have fantastic prospects for future careers with brand new, state of the art facilities in the new Engineering and Construction Skills Centre alongside the appointment of John Sankey, the new Head of School who brings with him a vast 35 years’ experience in the industry.

John started at the College in September and is now striving to train the Riverside College students to the highest standards in order to help them secure skilled jobs within the sort after engineering, motor vehicle and construction trades.

He began his own career as a telecommunications engineer and has spent the last 8 years as an education consultant working with colleges who have a large engineering and construction departments. This has given him a fantastic insight into the key elements of what makes a highly successful education department. He has exciting plans for both the traditional students who aim to progress onto university and for the students planning to progression into industry with relevant courses providing them with the best skills.

John said, “There is an ever increasing demand both locally and nationally for skilled engineering workers and we plan to support the students into successful careers. My aim is to develop the skills required for industry today and the investment we have made at the College in state of the art equipment means that students will have many more opportunities open to them including working in offshore and subsea engineering and within the developing renewable energy technology area. Our expanded and refurbished facilities have been equipped with high technology equipment to provide up to date training in CAD, 3D printing, materials testing and CNC machining that will equip our students to meet the demands of the growing engineering skills shortage.

“It is great to have the brand new centre at Kingsway, it means we can offer the students great courses, facilities and enrichment. I always look at what is best for the student but also what parents want and expect from a course and I always make time for all of the students when they need to discuss anything. I plan to offer Riverside students the very best training and continue to create tomorrow’s skilled workforce.”

The new £3.6 million Engineering and Construction Skills Centre has fantastic new equipment providing the students with an opportunity to be trained in all of the latest techniques and systems. The students can learn the practical skills needed to apply for jobs and apprenticeships at the end of their course.