ALSTOM Power
ALSTOM Power is a multi-national organisation which provides cost effective, efficient and reliable low NOx burner systems for the refurbishment and rehabilitation of fossil fuel fired power generation, industrial and utility boiler plants. It's a major worldwide employer with over 45,000 people in more than 70 countries across the globe.
The Challenge
Derby born John Blundell was a senior design engineer working for the company and
following recent changes in the company, it was felt that both he, some of his colleagues and the company would benefit significantly by them switching their focus, skills and knowledge to the field of combustion design.
The Solution
John and his colleagues utilised the University of Derby's Learning Through Work programme, with John opting to do an MSc Continuing Professional Development in Combustion and Performance Modeling.
John said:
"When I heard that Learning Through Work wasn't restricted to vocational training, but you could actually take higher level qualifications with it, I decided to do a Postgraduate course.
I'd already done a Mathematics degree with The Open University and knew that distance learning suited me. With The Open University, though, you were restricted to the course modules that they produced.
Learning Through Work gave me the opportunity to produce a course module based on what I was doing at work on a day-to-day basis. I was not just studying something for the sake of it. From the company's point of view, they were getting value for money, which of course was part of the reason they sponsored me.
They saw that whatever I did would benefit not only me but also the organisation. It was all relevant."
Additionally, since completing his learning, John has been promoted to Principal Design Engineer.
The Outcome
ALSTOM has gained direct benefit from the profitable projects focused on improving efficiency, processes and systems that various members of staff have committed to deliver as part of their personal development using the University of Derby's Learning Through Work programme.
Jamie Snowdon, Human Resources Manager of ALSTOM Power, Derby, said:
"Learning Through Work provided ALSTOM with a way of staff developing their higher level skills independently, without leaving work and whilst bringing positive benefits to the company."
