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Introduction
Tunnels are playing a bigger and bigger role in modern engineering projects.
As a Tunnel Engineer you will be responsible for planning, designing and
managing tunnel building projects.
Work Activities
As a Tunnel Engineer you will be responsible for planning, designing and
managing tunnel building projects. These projects could include:
rail
roads/motorways
urban and underground railways
underground water tunnels
sewers
You will be involved in overseeing the whole tunnelling process, from the
initial planning stage, to the final completion and the day the first train or car passes through.
You will need to carefully plan the work that needs to be done, working closely with the Project Manager, and then
you will have to keep on top of how it is progressing. You may need to employ many different contractors and it is up
to you to make sure they are performing their side of the project according plan and within budget.
You might also be responsible for the development of more junior engineers. You will help them with their training,
passing on your expertise, so that they, one day, can lead tunnelling projects like you.
As a Tunnel Engineer you'll work in an office and on-site. Office duties include producing designs for tunnel projects,
making detailed drawings for use on-site, calculating and checking specifications for projects, planning work and
keeping records of progress, plant stock and finance.
Other work away from the construction site includes attending regular meetings to let interested parties know how
the project is progressing - these people include clients, asset owners and stakeholders.
Many safety regulations apply to the construction industry. For example, a hard hat must be worn on construction
sites.
Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.
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Pay
Hours of work
Most Tunnel Engineers work around 35-40 hours, Monday to Friday. However, you may have early starts and late
finishes, and you may need to work some weekends, especially as deadlines approach.
Tunnel Engineers are employed on major construction projects where tunnels need to be used. These projects could
include:
rail
road/smotorways
urban and underground railways
underground water tunnels
sewers
Examples of major projects requiring Tunnel Engineers include the HS2 High Speed Train project, the Crossrail
project in London, and Network Rails recent £37.5bn investment in improving the country's rail coverage.
Self-employment
Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, on Universal Jobmatch, and at Jobcentre Plus.
In order to become a Tunnel Engineer you will first need to train as a Civil Engineer and then specialise in tunnel
construction (see the Real Lives and Video sections for more information about becoming a Civil Engineer).
You need an accredited Master of Engineering (MEng) degree or Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) honours degree in
civil engineering, or a related subject, to become a Chartered Engineer. These can be studied as sandwich courses,
which include work experience.
You can do a foundation degree, HNC or HND in civil engineering before moving on to a full degree course. The
qualifications above may allow you entry to this career, but you will need to take further approved training to become
fully qualified.
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) can provide lists of accredited courses.
Training
After getting a degree or foundation degree/HNC/HND, you must have a period of approved training and experience
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with an employer and pass a professional review to become fully qualified.
Progression
Qualifications
To get onto an Advanced or Higher Level Apprenticeship, you will usually need at least five GCSEs at A* - C, including
English and Maths, and possibly two A Levels.
To get onto a Degree Apprenticeship, you will usually need at least 2 A levels.
Some universities offer foundation courses for applicants without the appropriate maths and science qualifications.
To enter a relevant HNC, HND or foundation degree, you will usually need:
Adult Opportunities
Age limits
It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show
there is a real need to have these limits.
Skills/experience
People without relevant qualifications or skills gained in the construction industry or as an engineering technician,
will find it difficult to gain employment.
Courses
If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access
course (eg, Access to Engineering) could be the way in.
These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal
qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.
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People without the usual academic qualifications can achieve membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
via the Technical Report Route (TRR). See the ICE website for guidance on entry requirements.
Funding
ICE Quest Scholarships are available to candidates with a conditional offer for an ICE accredited course in civil
engineering.
Sponsorship for study at higher education level is available through the larger building/construction companies.
Further Information
Professional institutionsProfessional institutions have the following roles:
The ICE is the main professional institution for people working in civil engineering careers.
Contacts
CITB-ConstructionSkills
Skills for the construction industry
Address: Bircham Newton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6RH
Website: www.cskills.org
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