WATERWAYS engineering specialist The Rothen Group has shared a number of employee images in celebration of the hidden benefits of working on the waterways network, as it looks to encourage more youngsters to consider careers in the sector.
The gallery follows on from a study by The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board which has predicted that by 2026, nearly 20% of the existing UK sector workforce will be near retirement or retired. The Rothen Group is hoping to inspire the next generation of engineers. The firm specialises in marine and waterways engineering, helping to maintain the network so it can be used as a transport route and enjoyed by leisure boaters. Services include dredging, towpath restoration, piling, and floating plant hire.
Alongside maintaining the waterways, the Rothen Group also responds to emergent situations such as a towpath wall collapsing or damage occurring to a lock gate.
MD Ian Rothen said, “Working in the engineering sector can be incredibly rewarding with there being so many unique pathways that young people can explore. Day in, day out, we see our team working incredibly hard to ensure that we can provide the canal community with everything they need to safety travel through the system. When we asked them to send us any pictures that they have taken during the workday, we were inundated with their favourite shots.
“To help more individuals enter the waterways industry, we launched an apprenticeship scheme so that young people can work and learn at the same time. Our first apprentice, Lewis, is due to graduate this summer and become a full-time member of our team. Since joining in 2022, Lewis has been able to apply the engineering theory he learned in the classroom in the real world to gain a deeper understanding of its application.
“From removing vegetation to repairing the base of the canal, our team understands the positive impact their work has on maintaining this historic infrastructure. With these images, we hope to celebrate their careers on the waterways and the fantastic work they do.”
