Caunton were very pleased to welcome a team of graduate structural engineers from the major consulting engineering firm WSP recently to their main works and technical centre.

The photograph shows a group of some of the engineers in the Caunton Academy - the company's accredited apprentice training centre - together with Caunton Academy staff and some of the company's current apprentices. The guests were taught to master practical welding techniques, for structural steelwork in particular, under the skilful supervision of the Academy staff with support from the apprentices. In addition, the engineers spent some time learning how a structural steelwork contractor operates, which included tours of Caunton's three main manufacturing operations - preparation, production and painting. The day's program involved a CPD (Continued Professional Development) session, with a round table discussion on design considerations for fabrication, connections, reduction of carbon and sustainability.

The overall aim of the visit was to explore the interface between the engineer and the steelwork contractor and how they can understand and help each other, all in the interest of a more efficient construction industry. In that respect the day proved successful.