Kevin Rudd, a global cement specialist, is reaching out to fellow heavy industrial sector engineers, to establish a UK and worldwide network through the Institution.
A recently elected Fellow of the Institution, Kevin Rudd asks a question that has been preying on his mind: “Am I the last British engineer from my industry likely to become a Fellow?” The answer is, very possibly, ‘yes’ – and Kevin is determined to do something about it.
Resolved to stir the embers of what he calls a ‘contracting UK industry’, and inspire links between like-minded newcomers and established engineers in mining, steel, cement and glass works, Kevin is asking members of the Institution and heavy industrial companies to encourage professional registration across these sectors, and create a network between engineers to preserve their heritage and expertise.
A global technical specialist in the cement sector, previously with Blue Circle Cement, Lafarge and WS Atkins; and now a specialist for a heavy industry consultancy, Independent Cement Consultants (ICC), Kevin is generally to be found in the developing world, or in former war zones, addressing questions of infrastructure, advising on the feasibility of new cement plants, trouble-shooting on existing or newly built plants, providing due diligence for major international development banks or working as an expert witness in litigation cases.
With 20 years’ experience, Kevin says he is, “normally only a few phone calls away from a plant manager in a cement company,” in most parts of the world. Recently, he used his connections to arrange visits to two large cement works, with Institution Business Development Manager Paul Tabern, at Lafarge’s Cauldon site and Hope Construction Materials in Derbyshire. There, Kevin and Paul discussed the management’s views on engineers’ professional registration and future links with the Institution.
The response was overwhelmingly positive, says Kevin: “We went to assess the level of interest, and really, it was as if we were pushing at an open door to try and connect to others regarding technical issues and innovations. The issue is: where exactly do we – in heavy industry – fit into a body such as the Institution? And if we don’t quite have a niche yet, what level of interest might there be in setting something up? I’m putting my toe in the water, to see if there’s anybody out there who is keen, like me, to share their knowledge, make connections with similar people, and maintain a network for our industry.”
It’s a sentiment which, Kevin says, has its roots in his early career, when he worked with experienced engineers and benefited from the most valuable method of training: on-the-job inspiration, and painstaking coaching, checking and explanation. Now, he feels, he wants to give something back, to take his place in a historical chain of heavy industry engineers.
“A lot of it is in the blood,” he says, “as far back as my great-grandfather, my family was involved in heavy industry – they were known as artisans in those days. Following them was partly the natural thing to do, but I grew up in Garforth, a village where the coal mines had been closed. I was looking for other opportunities, and when I stepped onto a cement works for the first time, it was a weird feeling: it felt like home.”
Graduating from Nottingham Trent University in the early 1990s, Kevin was trained on the job by specialist engineers in the precision engineering environment of building a nuclear reactor at Sizewell B. Soon after, as a trainee engineer moving into heavy industry in Scotland, again he felt he learned a great deal from the experienced engineers overseeing his work, who provided informal mentoring. Now he is wondering just who is looking out for the next generation in a sector that is, to many, largely invisible and rarely glamorous but, with its great UK heritage, is as challenging and skilled as any other in engineering.
Kevin outlines the reasons why he has found working in heavy industry exciting and rewarding:
“On a cement works you have every type of mechanical equipment: bearings, gearboxes, pneumatic conveying, conveyor belts, bucket elevators and processing equipment. Then you get specialist areas: the crushers, kiln and mills; with the kiln rotating at high temperatures. Getting something wrong can be disastrous. The variety, for me, is what makes it vital and ever-changing. There’s space for ingenuity and initiative to make improvements – there is scope for the next generation of engineers to move in and have a great career. I enjoy meeting the characters around the world who are attracted to the sector, and the camaraderie that can develop over the years”
“It’s great if you have a feel for heavy industry,” Kevin maintains, “It can be quite an insular set-up, often with plants and works in rural locations, which are important to the local community. However, demand is reaching a plateau in the UK and many cement engineers are finding work abroad.”
The Institution reports that 20% of global membership is constituted by engineers based outside the UK – the fastest growing sector of registration – although this may not necessarily be reflected in the cement industry.
Kevin adds that, in his experience, professional registration is esteemed in many countries and Chartered Engineers much sought after.
“In the developing world, infrastructure might be growing, or may need rebuilding. What I have found is that British engineers are highly respected across the world, and our expertise – including our Chartered status and membership of the Institution – is very important.”
“Developing employees within organisations entails peer-review and accreditation; and engaging across similar and related industries. Perhaps, for some companies, setting up professional networking relationships hasn’t recently been high on the agenda, but after just a few meetings we’re finding a lot of interest – and I think it’s vital, in my field, that these steps become prioritised now.”
He adds: “There’s no better route for engineers to follow than to join the Institution: one formal place that can provide a community and a connection.”
Kevin contacted the Institution earlier this year about starting a network, and met Paul Merrick, Fellow of the Institution and, at that time, Chair of the Process Industry Division. The technologies and specialisms within cement works fall under the wider remit of a ‘process’ industry, says Paul, and he was keen to help Kevin’s cause, putting him in touch with Nicole Rinaldi and Paul Tabern, of the Institution’s Business Development Managers Team.
Paul Merrick says: “My first experience of heavy industry with large pieces of engineering equipment was at the age of 16 as an apprentice – and it was somewhat daunting. However, as important to me as the development of my skills and knowledge, is the evolution of my network, which has helped me more times than I care to remember. It is the sharing of knowledge and understanding, and benefits that come from the expertise of others in industry and academia, that have helped me to become who I am today as an engineer. I was delighted to help Kevin with some contacts and look forward to seeing more interaction develop across this heavier and very rewarding industry sector.”
Paul Tabern comments: “Through Kevin, I’ve gained a real insight into an industry that clearly has lots of highly skilled engineers and technicians. The challenge is how we look to develop these initial positive meetings into some tangible strategies and connections. We've made a start on that by setting up some presentations and workshops to promote the benefits of professional registration and outline the resources and support available from the Institution.”
“Being part of the Institution means members can share ‘best practice’, and benefit from access to professional and personal development via the networking opportunities. I hope more companies and engineers will work together to inspire, recognise and support the engineers of the future, who will continue to add significant value and expertise to this vital industry.”
Kevin is optimistic that, just as senior engineers did for him when he was young, he and others, who are experienced in their fields, can find ways to encourage the future generation. He anticipates that cement engineers and those in similar disciplines will connect, using the Institution as their base, as with other industries and specialisms, such as rail and process engineering.
He ends with a call to action: “Let’s see if we can start a connection, even if it’s small in the beginning, and see if it can grow. There is great value in this sector. Engineers should share our knowledge and expertise, and use those attributes to encourage professionalism among new entrants to heavy industry, in all countries across the world.”
If you work in the cement industry – or a similar heavy sector – and would like to become part of a new networking group within the Institution, please contact Kevin Rudd: +44 7720 805834, kevin.rudd@cementconsultants.com
For more information about professional registration: http://www.imeche.org/membership/professional-development-and-cpd/professional-development/Gaining-registration or contact a Business Development Manager: bdm@imeche.org