Case Study - Skills in Hydrogeology
Sector: Engineering
A lack of skills in geosciences has been recognised in recent years as a national problem. The School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at Newcastle University responded to this gap by introducing a new flexible learning MSc programme in Applied Hydrogeology.
Emerging skills challenges
The Environment Agency aims to protect and improve the environment, and to promote sustainable development. The identified lack of skills in geoscience has particular significance for an organisation with this focus.
The Environment Agency runs a national Geosciences Recruitment and Retention project to address issues regarding recruitment and retention of experienced staff with appropriate skills. A realisation that the portfolio of training programmes available to staff needed expansion led to the Environment Agency seeking out external expertise to help with the effective and efficient delivery of courses.
The existing Applied Hydrogeology MSc programme at Newcastle provided an established basis of teaching material for the development of the necessary skills to meet the Environment Agency’s needs. This included both short CPD courses and work-based and part-time MSc/Diploma courses.
The response
Two short courses were developed by experts in the School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at Newcastle University: Groundwater Chemistry and Groundwater Contamination. The curricula were developed jointly between Newcastle University and the Environment Agency to address knowledge and skills including:
- fundamental understanding of the chemical composition of groundwater
- sampling and analytical methods
- process conceptualisation
- modelling skills
- remediation techniques
The courses allow students to earn modular credits from Newcastle University which can contribute towards postgraduate awards.
A combination of lectures, classroom desk exercises, computer workshops and field exercises cover both the underpinning principles and the detailed knowledge necessary to apply the skills in an operational environment. Practical exercises, both in the classroom and in the field at local industrial sites, consolidate the learning with the real world application of the taught material.
Impact
Angela Haslam, a Technical Adviser at the Environment Agency, is convinced that the flexible approach offered through modular training is of great benefit. It gives employees the opportunity to study appropriate skills either as stand-alone continuing professional development or as part of a broader programme leading to an accredited qualification. This means that training is tailored to organisational needs and yet has the credibility of a postgraduate academic qualification.
Developing the technical skills to put training into practice allows staff to move on within the organisation, supporting their professional development. Angela Haslam stresses that training such as the Newcastle University modules allows people to move from supervised practice through the application of newly-acquired skills to working at a higher level and in a more independent way. The opportunity to take up structured training makes the organisation more attractive as an employer and helps to make people feel valued, improving staff retention.
Technical resilience is increasingly important. Staff with high level technical skills being developed through courses such as Groundwater Chemistry and Groundwater Contamination at Newcastle University are valued.
Further information:
Course specific
- Alison Bird ceg.cpd@ncl.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)191 222 7439
General enquiries
- Mr Christopher Hoy, christopher.hoy@ncl.ac.uk
- Teaching and Learning Awards Officer
- Research & Enterprise Services
- Telephone: +44 (0) 191 222 5886
View our PDF brochure Skills in applied hydrogeology (PDF: 665KB)
