The SCOTS Bridges Group - A Standard training solution case study

Introduction

The SCOTS Bridges Group consists of 34 members including 32 Councils, Transport Scotland (Scottish Executive) and Tay Bridge Board. The remit of the SCOTS Bridges Group is to promote the acquisition and exchange of knowledge and good practice in the field of bridge management, design, construction, repair and maintenance.

Requirement

In March 2010, Eurocodes replace British Standards to become the UK’s national standards for structural design. Bridge engineers therefore have an immediate need to understand the principles behind the Eurocodes and their use within steel, concrete and composite bridge design. In anticipation of this requirement, SCOTS Bridges Group sought an appropriate training programme to cover the design of bridges to Eurocodes. 64 bridge engineers drawn from throughout Scotland would participate in this programme.

The Solution

Thomas Telford provided a three-module programme of training taught by a team of five bridge specialists. Each module was delivered in three different locations in Scotland. This modularised approach enabled participants to ‘stagger’ their time away from the office and so minimise disruption to their work. The multi-location delivery minimised travel time and costs.

As the programme participants were drawn from many organisations, Thomas Telford also provided a fully automated delegate booking service and so minimised the administrative work for each of the participating councils.

Mr Bill Stewart of City of Edinburgh Council commented that:

'Ensuring that our bridge engineers are properly prepared for the implementation of the Structural Eurocodes is a vital objective for the SCOTS Bridge Group. This training programme was a key step within our preparations and we are pleased with the very positive delegate feedback received'

Website: visit http://www.scotsnet.org.uk for further information.